Obit: Opachan, John "Johnny O." G. (1936 - 2005)

Contact:  Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Opachan, Kowalczyk

----Sources: Thorp Courier (Thorp, WI.) July 13, 2005

Opachan, John "Johnny O." G. (July 21, 1936 - July 6, 2005) (Flag)

John (Johnny O) G. Opachan, age 68, of Ladysmith, died July 6, 2005, at home.

Funeral services were held, July 15 at 11 a.m. at the Nash-Jackan Funeral Home in Ladysmith with Deacon Brockbank officiating. John’s family received friends one hour prior to the service at the Funeral Home.

He was born on July 21, 1936, at Medford, the son of John and Nellie Opachan. John lived in Illinois for 17 years and came to Rusk County in 1974. He and Janice Kowalczyk wee married January 31, 1959, at Gilman. He was a self-employed excavator for 40 years. He served in the Army three years as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles. He attended antique tractor shows and collected John Deere tractors and signs. He belonged to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church.

In addition to his wife, Janice, he is survived by two sons, Mark (Sally) Opachan of Midland, Texas, and Mike (Carrie) of Glen Flora; seven grandchildren: Michael (Ruth), Jennifer (Brett) and Caitlin, all of Glen Flora, and Amanda, John, Alexis and Ryan of Midland, Texas; five great-grandchildren: Hailey, Harley, Avery, Jordan and Morgan of Glen Flora; and two sisters.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by a brother, Leonard.