Obituary of Darrel Opicka

Darrel G. Opicka November 8, 1935 - June 28, 2015 Darrel G. Opicka, 79 of Berrien Springs and (previously of Ionia) was born on November 8, 1935 to the late Alois and Ruth (Bowman) Opicka and passed away Sunday, June 28, 2015 with his family by his side. Darrel would say his life truly began on June 9, 1957 when he wed the one true love of his life, Anna Jean Britton, at a ceremony in Lansing, Michigan. Together they raised four wonderful biological daughters that completed their family. But if you knew Darrel and Anna Jean, they couldn't help but love everyone. They opened their home to many others, including nieces and nephews, kids that needed a second home, exchange students, patients and their own aging parents. Biological or chosen child could be found filling their house with laughter. Most likely from some kind of practical joke Darrel had played on them. He truly loved life. All that knew Darrel have felt this loss deeply. Darrel was a true friend and would give you anything he had. Whether he was their physician or friend, you couldn't tell the difference. He loved his patients deeply which was obvious by how long a trip to the grocery store could take. He made sure to give each patient a hug and was one of the last doctors to make house calls. He lived by his own words, "I've never worked a day in my life." Darrel graduated from Kansas City College of Osteopathy and Surgery in 1963 as a Doctor of Osteopathy. In addition to his own private practice he was also the Chief County Medical Examiner, Medical Director for the State of Michigan Department of Corrections, and administered anesthesia at Ionia County Memorial Hospital. For fun he loved to fly and logged over 3500 hours of flight time. He was an active member of the Ionia Seventh-day Adventist church. He was so passionate about kids having a Christian education that he not only helped build a church school and gym, he served on the school board as the chairman and helped many kids attend the school. Darrel was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Wolf; father, Alois Opicka; and brother, Thom Francis. He is survived by his wife, of 58 years, Anna Jean Opicka of Berrien Springs; daughters, Joyce (John) Gaitan of Holland, Michigan; Christine (David) Wold of Holland, Michigan; Dawn (Ron) Stier of Leicester, North Carolina and Tricia (David) Muth of Berrien Springs, Michigan; ten grandchildren; two great granddaughters; brother, James (Margaret) Opicka of Ohio; sister, Peggy Groves of Texas; and sister-in-law, Carol Francis of Florida. In keeping with Darrel's wishes he has been cremated and his family will be hosting a memorial service at Ionia Seventh-day Adventist Church located at 721 Elmwood Dr, Ionia, Michigan 48846 on Saturday, July 18, 2015 beginning at 3:00 p.m. The family has asked that in keeping with Darrel's passion for Christian Education that a memorial to the Darrel and Anna Jean Opicka Christian Education Fund be considered instead of flowers. This can be done at any Fifth Third Bank under the name of Darrel Opicka. If you would like a receipt for your donation you may make your contribution directly to Ionia Seventh-day Adventist School, Great Lakes Adventist Academy or Andrews University.