116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Obituaries
The Gazette publishes obituaries on a daily basis. Use the search field above to search for obituaries by name or keyword. Readers can submit an obituary or submit a milestone to The Gazette. The obituary must be submitted before 1 p.m. for publication on thegazette.com at 6 p.m. and in the daily edition the next day, with the exception of obituaries for Sunday publication, which must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Fridays.
Merle Opperman
MERLE OPPERMAN
Cedar Rapids
Merle Berdine Opperman, 91, of Cedar Rapids, died Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, at The Meth-Wick Community. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery Garden of Reflection.
Merle was born March 3, 1923, in Strawberry Point, Iowa, to Edgar William and Bessie Alice (Palmer) Opperman. He was united in marriage to Earlene Frances Huston on Nov. 5, 1948, in Barnesville, Ga.
Merle worked as a machinery operator at Quaker Oats for over 35 years. He was a member of the Local 110 in Cedar Rapids.
Merle was an avid fisherman and enjoyed time spent at the family's cabin up north. He loved to listen to music, especially the band Chicago. Merle enjoyed the occasional card game with his buddies, and had a lot of fun spending time with his family and friends.
He is survived by five children, Gregory Opperman of Phoenix, Ariz., Kenton Opperman of Cedar Rapids, Laura (Ed) Wootton of Omaha, Neb., John (Laurie) Opperman of Marion and Brett Opperman of Shellsburg; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Eugene of Marion and Ivan of Monticello.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Earlene, in 2010; and two brothers, Reginald and Burnell.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Merle's name.
Online condolences may be left at www.cedar memorial.com.
Daily Newsletters