Opal Ella Hodges' Obituary
Opal Hodges, age 96, of Centerville, passed away Thursday, May 11, 2023 at MercyOne Medical Center, LTC in Centerville.
Opal was born on July 24, 1926 in Frontier County, Nebraska, the daughter of Jack and Ella (Kline) Miller. She graduated from High School in 1943. On December 31, 1943, Opal was united in marriage to LaVern Hodges, and to this union, three children were born, Sharlyn, Jim and Lyle.
Opal was a lifetime member of the Nazarene Church, and taught Sunday School for a number of years. She loved to sew and made most of her clothes. She also quilted several quilts. Opal loved her garden and flowers. She was a hard worker from an early age. Opal took pride being on the farm and working in the office at the hospital for 34 years. Everyone loved her strawberry and chocolate pie, especially her grandkids.
Opal's brothers and sisters were known as the Seven Dwarfs, and she truly was her dwarf name, HAPPY. She was known by many for having a smile and kind heart.
Left to cherish Opal's memory are her children, Sharlyn (Walter) Dixon of Cedar Rapids, Jim (Linda) Hodges of Mercer, MO, and Lyle (Debbie) Hodges of Moulton; six grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren; a sister, Lucille Fleck; as well as a number of nieces and nephews.
Opal was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Ella Miller; her husband, LaVern; a great grandson; and siblings, Eula Danko, Ralph Miller, Rex Miller, Corrine Rumley and Cloyd Jack Miller.
Funeral services will be held at 1PM, Friday, May 19, 2023 at Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville with Brian Hargrave officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Ararat Cemetery, just east of Centerville. Visitation will take place Friday, May 19, 2023 at Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville with the family greeting friends from 11AM-1PM. Memorials have been established to the Moulton First Responders, and may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: Hodges Family, 501 North 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.thomasfh.com or on our funeral home Facebook page.
The family would like to thank the current and past MercyOne Long Term Care workers (nurses, LPN's, CNA's and housekeepers) for the love and care you gave Opal the last nine years, truly the best place to have a loved one when they need care.
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