Opal Marie VanPelt-Schmidt

Opal Marie VanPelt-Schmidt, 86, of Petersburg, passed away at Mason District Hospital in Havana on Saturday, July 8, 2023 surrounded by family. Opal was born on November 3, 1936 in Beardstown to Andy and Aultie (Hardwick) Cowan. She married Dan VanPelt in 1956 and Ralph Schmidt in 2002, both of whom preceded her in death. Opal is survived by her long-time companion, Jim Perbix; daughter, Rosemarie (Rea) Lovell of Hollister, Missouri; son, Mike VanPelt of Litchfield; grandson, Tim VanPelt of Athens; great-granddaughter, Kaylee VanPelt of Athens; and many other extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, “favorite” son-in-law, Dave Lovell, and granddaughter-in-law, Jennifer VanPelt. Opal was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Lincoln. She worked as a court reporter and later as an investment planner in Lincoln. She was a member of the Havana Rotary Club and was recently a Paul Harris honoree. She never met a stranger, she enjoyed meeting and making friends, whether it was two-legged people or four-legged animals. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 22 at Lime Street Cafe, 951 S. Durkin Drive, Springfield, IL from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be in Opal’s name to Havana Rotary Club or Animal Protective League of Springfield, Illinois at https://www.apl-shelter.org/memorials. Online condolences can be left for her family at www.hurleyfh.com. Hurley Funeral Home in Havana is in charge of arrangements.