Opal E. Shepherd

Opal E. Shepherd, 83, of Pomona, passed away Friday, February 8, 2019. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, February 16, 2019, at Dengel & Son Mortuary. Family will meet with friends from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Friday, February 15, 2019, at the mortuary. Interment Central Cemetery, Pomona. Opal was born December 26, 1935, in Ottawa, the daughter of Howard Eugene and Helen Ruby (Watts) Foster. She was a lifelong Franklin County resident living in Pomona. She graduated from Ottawa High School with the class of 1954. Opal was united in marriage to Ralph C. Shepherd January 7, 1981, in Lawrence. He preceded her in death on February 8, 2003. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Helen Foster; brothers, Charles “Todd” Foster and James Foster Sr.; sister, Gale Sawyer; step brothers, Dallas Nicholson and Harvey Nicholson; step sister, Eletheir Presnal. Survivors include siblings, Dorothy Anrig of Chico, California and Squire Foster and wife Doris of Newton; step brother, Gary Nicholson and wife Margaret of Centropolis; step sister, Lenore Newell of Ozawkie; many beloved nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews. Opal was employed as a librarian, teachers’ aide and bus driver for West Franklin USD 287 from August 1975 to June 2004. She also worked as a sales clerk for Peeks Supersaver in Pomona from the mid-1970s to mid-1980s. She was a member of the Centropolis Christian Church and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 5901 Auxiliary of Ottawa. Opal loved reading books, traveling with friends and family, the outdoors, living on the farm and her cows. She was a huge Kansas Jayhawks fan. Opal absolutely loved children and driving her school bus, otherwise known as “Sarah”. The family suggests memorial contributions to USD 287 Library Fund c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Opal’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com