Opal Stearns

Opal Viola Stearns, 80, of Jackson passed away Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2006, at the Monticello House in Jackson, with her daughter at her side.

She was born Oct. 17, 1925, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of the late Henry and Clara Sandvoss Niemann. She and Lyman Stearns were married in August 1955. He passed away Dec. 11, 1982.

Opal moved from Arnold, Mo., in 1998, to Gordonville to be close to her family. She was a current member of Christ Lutheran Church in Gordonville, and had been a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Arnold 25 years. She was a lifelong Lutheran, and it was her faith that carried her through the difficult times in her life.

Opal was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who held her family dear to her heart.

Loving survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Joyce and Richard Felty of Gordonville; an adopted son, Randy Stearns; an adopted daughter, Cheryl Stearns; four grandchildren, Kristin (Anthony) Gresham, Kyle Cook, Cody Rullo, and Robert Stearns; a great-grandson, Garrett Gresham; a brother, Hank (Mary) Niemann of Gordonville; numerous nieces and nephews.

There will be a graveside service Friday at 1 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in Arnold, with the Rev. Gary Hoffstetter officiating. The funeral procession will leave at 11:30 a.m. from McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Christ Lutheran Church Building Fund.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.