Ruth Marian Opperman Obituary (1927 - 2021)

LINCOLN- Ruth Marian Opperman, 93 passed away peacefully on October 16, 2021, at her home. Ruth was born November 5, 1927, in Lincoln, IL the older daughter of Herbert and Norma (Dittus) Finke. She was raised on a sesquicentennial farm southeast of Lincoln in Chester township which was settled by her ancestors. Ruth attended the rural Layman School for her first six years and the Zion Lutheran School in Mt. Pulaski. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1946. Ruth took classes at Brown's Business College and Milliken University. Post schooling, she worked in the office of A.E. Staley in Decatur for 5 years prior to marriage. Ruth married George Victor Opperman, Jr. on February 21, 1954 at Zion Lutheran Church, Mt. Pulaski, IL. She and George farmed in Chester and Aetna townships for many years. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Lincoln and a member of the Ladies Aid. For many years she taught Sunday School and helped with Vacation Bible School. She served as treasurer of the Logan County HEA and as president of the Chester Unit HEA. She was a prominent member of the Logan County Farm Bureau and past president of the Women's Committee. Ruth was devoted to her family. She is survived by her son, David (Stephanie) Opperman of Lincoln, and her daughter, Janet (Keith) Dullard of Morton. Ruth was also blessed with nine grandchildren whom she greatly adored and were the loves of her life, Jenna (Tom) McCord of Colorado Springs, CO; Kathryn (John) Bruntjen of Mt. Pulaski; Sam Opperman of Lincoln; Megan Opperman of Lincoln; Christian Dullard of Chicago; Corey (Hayden) Dullard of Morton; Haley Dullard of Iowa City, IA; Nicole Dullard of Chicago; and Lindsey Dullard of Birmingham, AL. Her handsome and sweet great grandson, John Lucas Bruntjen, brought her much joy. Whether it was watching her grandchildren compete in band, baseball, basketball, and volleyball or show their 4-H projects, Ruth was always front row cheering them on. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband George, sister Helen (Charles) Willman of Springfield, MO; and sisters-in-law Donnabelle (Harold) Pech of Lincoln; Emma Lou (Al) Lemon of Kankakee; and Jewell (George) Zook of Jacksonville. Services for Ruth will be held at 11:00am on Friday, October 22, 2021 at Zion Lutheran Church in Lincoln with Pastor Mark Thompson officiating. Visitation will take place from 5:00-7:00pm on Thursday, October 21, 2021 at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home, Lincoln as well as an additional hour prior to the service on Friday. Burial will follow the services at New Union Cemetery, Lincoln. The family of Ruth want to express their sincere gratitude to Meredith Leever, Transitions Hospice, Sara Young, and Sky McCain for their compassionate care. Memorial donations may be made in Ruth's name to Zion Lutheran Church or Zion Lutheran School, Lincoln.