Opal Schmachtenberger's Obituary
Opal (Edna) Schmachtenberger, daughter of Jonathan Andrew and Sarah Idella Blazor Thomas, was born October 13, 1924, on a farm near Seymour, Missouri, and departed this life on March 22, 2011, in St. John?s Regional Health Center, Springfield, Missouri, at the age of eighty-six years, five months and eleven days. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Lee Ashley and Ernie Schmachtenberger; three sisters, Bertha Thomas, Geneva Pittman and Ada Cameron; a niece, Dena Duckworth; and two grandsons, Bruce and Eric Schmachtenberger. Opal is survived by three step-children, Bennie Schmachtenberger and his wife, Debbie, of Strafford, Sue White and her husband, Bill, of Strafford and Shirley Schmachtenberger of Springfield; three grandchildren, Nathan Schmachtenberger and his wife, Rachelle, Jessica McCulley and her husband, Larin, Lindsay Pearson, and Eric?s wife, Heather Schmachtenberger; a niece, Wanda Duckworth; three nephews, Garrett Pittman, Tom Cameron and John Cameron; as well as other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Opal lived at home for several years, helping her father with farm work and the livestock. Then in 1960 she married David Lee Ashley and lived near Seymour until his death in 1977. Opal worked at Tobin-Hamilton Shoe Factory in Mansfield and the H.D. Lee Plant in Seymour for several years. On December 29, 1989, she married Ernie Schmachtenberger and continued to live near Seymour. In 1994 they moved to Strafford, Missouri, to be near Ernie?s children. After Ernie?s passing on July 23, 1999, Opal continued to live in Strafford and for the last 10 years she has worked in the cafeteria at Strafford Schools. Opal accepted Christ at an early age and attended Lone Star Baptist Church near Seymour for many years. For the past 12 years she was a member of the Berean Baptist Church in Strafford. Her hobbies were cooking, sewing, gardening and caring for her animals. Opal loved her family very much and the memories of her will live with us forever.
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