Obituaries
Obituary for Eldon Paul Oppe
Edelstein- Eldon Paul Oppe (aka E.P.O.), 85, of Edelstein passed away peacefully January 18, 2018 at his home, surrounded by his wife and daughters.
Eldon was born on June 4, 1932 in Rome, IL, the son of August and Anna (Lapp) Oppe. He married Shirley E. Belford on Aug. 9, 1952 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria. She survives.
He is also survived by five daughters, Debbie (Terry) Bowen of Princeville, Karen (Rick) Schotthofer (Chillicothe), Cindy Oppe (Milwaukee), Angie (Tom) Osten of Rochester, Minnesota, Becky (Ed) Talaga of Grand Rapids, Michigan; 10 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Mickey (Paul) Gilles of Brimfield and Leota Herbert of Hot Springs, Arkansas; two brothers, Walter Oppe of Edwards and Warren (Delores) Oppe of Peoria; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by one son, David Michael; his parents; 2 brothers, Joe and Tom Oppe; 3 sisters, Ida Burbidge, Helen Schwend and Mary Ann Matthews.
Eldon worked at L.R. Nelson as a machinist for 32 years. In addition, he built and refurbished houses and later on, bought Carl’s Cones, an ice cream stand that he enjoyed running with his wife and daughters.
After he retired, he fulfilled his dream of buying a farm and moved into a farm house in Edelstein in 2000.
He loved spending time with his grandchildren, riding the 4-wheelers and just hanging out with them.
He had a great sense of humor and was quite the jokester. He always put others first and himself last.
He and Shirley took numerous trips throughout their later years to California, Florida, Tennessee, Texas and a favorite, Hawaii. They also enjoyed many trips to visit their daughters and grandchildren throughout the Midwest and a grandson in San Antonio. He was reluctant to leave the farm, but he always enjoyed their trips.
He was born on a farm and his last wish was to die on his farm. It was his passion and he was proud of the farmhouse he had rebuilt and every acre of land.
He and Shirley had been members of Holy Family Church while living in Peoria. They joined St. Edward’s Church in Chillicothe after they moved to Edelstein. He volunteered at many organizations after his retirement.
He will be missed by his family and friends, and we know he will be watching over us and reminding us of all the things that need to be done.
A visitation will be held at Wright & Salmon Mortuary Monday, Jan. 22 from 5 - 7:30 PM. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, Jan. 23 at St. Edward’s Church (1216 N. 6th St.) in Chillicothe, with visitation one hour prior to the Mass. Msgr. Michael Bliss will officiate. A lunch will follow immediately after the Mass. A Graveside Service will be at 2:30 PM at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, 2105 W. Heading Ave, West Peoria.
A special thanks to the staff at Vitas Hospice for their care and compassion.
In lieu of flowers, a donation made to St. Edward’s Church would be appreciated.
Friends and family may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences to www.wrightandsalmon.com
Read More
Eldon was born on June 4, 1932 in Rome, IL, the son of August and Anna (Lapp) Oppe. He married Shirley E. Belford on Aug. 9, 1952 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria. She survives.
He is also survived by five daughters, Debbie (Terry) Bowen of Princeville, Karen (Rick) Schotthofer (Chillicothe), Cindy Oppe (Milwaukee), Angie (Tom) Osten of Rochester, Minnesota, Becky (Ed) Talaga of Grand Rapids, Michigan; 10 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Mickey (Paul) Gilles of Brimfield and Leota Herbert of Hot Springs, Arkansas; two brothers, Walter Oppe of Edwards and Warren (Delores) Oppe of Peoria; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by one son, David Michael; his parents; 2 brothers, Joe and Tom Oppe; 3 sisters, Ida Burbidge, Helen Schwend and Mary Ann Matthews.
Eldon worked at L.R. Nelson as a machinist for 32 years. In addition, he built and refurbished houses and later on, bought Carl’s Cones, an ice cream stand that he enjoyed running with his wife and daughters.
After he retired, he fulfilled his dream of buying a farm and moved into a farm house in Edelstein in 2000.
He loved spending time with his grandchildren, riding the 4-wheelers and just hanging out with them.
He had a great sense of humor and was quite the jokester. He always put others first and himself last.
He and Shirley took numerous trips throughout their later years to California, Florida, Tennessee, Texas and a favorite, Hawaii. They also enjoyed many trips to visit their daughters and grandchildren throughout the Midwest and a grandson in San Antonio. He was reluctant to leave the farm, but he always enjoyed their trips.
He was born on a farm and his last wish was to die on his farm. It was his passion and he was proud of the farmhouse he had rebuilt and every acre of land.
He and Shirley had been members of Holy Family Church while living in Peoria. They joined St. Edward’s Church in Chillicothe after they moved to Edelstein. He volunteered at many organizations after his retirement.
He will be missed by his family and friends, and we know he will be watching over us and reminding us of all the things that need to be done.
A visitation will be held at Wright & Salmon Mortuary Monday, Jan. 22 from 5 - 7:30 PM. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, Jan. 23 at St. Edward’s Church (1216 N. 6th St.) in Chillicothe, with visitation one hour prior to the Mass. Msgr. Michael Bliss will officiate. A lunch will follow immediately after the Mass. A Graveside Service will be at 2:30 PM at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, 2105 W. Heading Ave, West Peoria.
A special thanks to the staff at Vitas Hospice for their care and compassion.
In lieu of flowers, a donation made to St. Edward’s Church would be appreciated.
Friends and family may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences to www.wrightandsalmon.com
Previous Events
Visitation
Monday
22
Jan
5:00 PM
- 7:30 PM
Wright & Salmon Mortuary
2416 N North St
Peoria, IL 61604
Visitation
Tuesday
23
Jan
9:00 AM
- 10:00 AM
St. Edward Catholic Church
1216 N 6th St
Chillicothe, IL 61523
Funeral Mass
Tuesday
23
Jan
10:00 AM
St. Edward Catholic Church
1216 N 6th St
Chillicothe, IL 61523
Cemetery Details
Location
St. Joseph Cemetery
2105 W. Heading Ave.
West Peoria, IL 61604
Memorial Contribution
St. Edward Catholic Church
1216 N 6th St
Chillicothe, IL 61523
Chillicothe, IL 61523
Loading...