Obituary of Opal May Snyder

Opal May Snyder, 106, passed away Tuesday April 8, 2025. She was preceded in death by her husband Francis, son Frank, mother Jessie Zimmerman along with her brothers and sisters. 

Opal was born September 25, 1918 and spent her early life at the Annie Wittenmyer Home (orphanage) in Davenport, IA. As an adventurous young woman, she moved to Chicago, IL and met her husband, Francis. They were married at the beginning of World War II.  After the war they moved to Newton, IA where they raised their 5 children. 

Opal was active in the First Christian Church, President of Church Women United, was a co-founder of the Clothing Closet along with being a very active supporter of Friends of the Animals in Newton, IA. Opal was active in local politics and attended Newton City Council and School Board meetings, reporting on occasion for the Newton Daily News and eventually writing her own newsletter the Jasper County Free Press. The Jasper County Free Press was published for more than 20 years. 

Opal moved to Chapel Hill, NC in her early 80’s. She published her first book, “From Opal to Her Children” in 2011 and her novel, Maggie of Crosswell in March 2014 at the age of 96. For her 99th birthday, Opal was treated with a dream vacation which included London and Paris. In Chapel Hill she was an active member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. She especially enjoyed going to her quilters group every week.

Opal is survived by her children Ethel Ellen Buckalew, Margie Dubnansky (Paul), Pat Deskin (Skip) and Dave Snyder: grandchildren Tricia Leigh (Jason), Ryan (Orbe), Kyle, Jeffrey, Andrew, Lindsay (Charles), Bill (Juli), Catherine (Jason) and Maisie; great-grandchildren: Emma, Anna, Andrew, Matthew, Tripp, Camille, Coco, Lexi, Elias, Joshua and Elizabeth. 

Services will be held On Friday April 18, 2025 at 11:00 am at The First Chistian Church Disciples of Christ located at 314 E. 2^nd Street N. Newton, IA 50208. Visitation will be held at 10 am at the church ust prior to the service. 

A memorial service will be held on Saturday May 3, 2025 at 2:00PM at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 300 E Rosemary St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514. 

In lieu of flowers please consider a charitable contribution to Doctors without Borders or Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Quilters fund at 300 E Rosemary St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514