SHEEL, Opal Gladys (Criger) - b. November 6, 1903 - d. October 22, 1995

[ddurbin]

(from THE ELK COUNTY CITIZEN-ADVANCE NEWS  Nov. 1, 1995)

Opal Gladys Sheel, homemaker, passed away Sunday, October 22, 1995 at the Elk Manor Nursing Home in Moline.  She was 91 years of age.  Opal was born November 5, 1903 at Howard to Ezra Lee and Hanna Permilia (Baughman) Criger.  She graduated from Howard High School and attended one year of Normal schooling near Emporia for her teaching certificate.  Opal taught four years in the Elk County schools.

On May 12, 1926, she married Emera Fredrick Sheel at Independence, and to this union were born two sons Harold F. and Eldon L., and one daughter Ruth Joanne (Sheel) Hisle.  She lived in the Elk County area throughout her life.  As a homemaker, Opal enjoyed her family and was able to remain in her home until a very recent move to the Elk County Nursing Home, due to ill health.  Emera preceded her in death on April 9, 1978.

Opal was a member of the Chatter-N-Stitch Club, the Paw Paw Reunion, and the Howard Alumni Association.  She was a long time member of the Moline United Methodist church, where she was active in the UMW.

She is survived by her son Harold F. Sheel and his wife Lavoy, and her daughter Ruth J. Hisle and her husband Richard, all of Moline, a sister Coral Mowry of San Antonio, TX, eight grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, and a host of friends.  She was preceded in death by her husband, her son Eldon, her parents, one sister Clarice Lilley, and one brother Clad Q. Criger.