Opal Evangeline Thayer

Opal E. Thayer, age 89 of Sheridan, went to be with her Savior on January 27, 2023, under the loving care of Wings of Hope Hospice in Allegan. Opal was born on November 13, 1933 to Chris and Gertrude Wagner. She married George F. Thayer on June 7, 1952 in Greenville. She worked at Ore Ida Foods in Greenville from 1965 to 1987 when the plant closed. After she retired from Ore Ida, she started a home based sewing & mending business and also worked part time for American Greetings.

Anyone who met Opal instantly loved her. She had a quick wit about her that made you laugh and try to match her banter. She loved her family above all else and she was beyond proud of all of her kids, grandkids, great grandkids, and great great grandkids. She was a great correspondent and this showed in the many cards and notes she received in the mail for different occasions. Her grandchildren all loved their "grandma Thayer packages", these were usually full of the free things that she received in the mail because Opal was above all else a giver. She gave to various charities with her big heart and the trinkets that she received for doing so she didn't keep for herself, she passed them onto those that she loved. Her family sometimes referred to her as "Grandma Betty" because she was funny like Betty White, kind of looked like her, and didn't really hold her tongue when it came to telling you what she thought.

She was preceded in death by her husband George, her parents Chris and Gertrude Wagner, her brothers James, Chris, Doug, her sister Illa, her daughter-in-law Patricia, and her daughter Debbie.

She is survived by her children, Michael Thayer of Greenville, Lucile & Bill Clark of Belding, and Fred Thayer of Fenwick; grandchildren, Jenny Clark & Gary Howard of Hopkins, Matthew & Cassondra Clark of Lowell, Chad Thayer of Fenwick, Charlie & Jackie Thayer of Fenwick; brothers, Richard & Pearl Wagner of Lansing, Delmar & Betty Wagner of Dimondale; sister Ella Alexander of Sheridan; 10 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

A celebration of Opal's life is being held on Monday, January 30th from 1 to 3 PM and 6 to 8 PM at the Simpson Family Funeral Home in Sheridan (246 S. Main St.). A private family graveside service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you direct donations in Opal's memory to Wings of Hope Home in Allegan.

To leave an online condolence or share a favorite memory of Opal, please go to www.SimpsonFamilyFuneralHomes.com.