Opal Elizabeth Aymer's Obituary
Opal Elizabeth (Wilson) Aymer, 104, was born on June 10, 1914 in Herrin, IL, delivered by a county doctor on her family’s rural farm to Jessie (Sinkhorn) Wilson and David Wilson. She grew up in Southern Illinois where her father was a coal mine manager. He passed away from black lung disease when she was just a child. As a teenager, she moved to Taylorville IL to help her family and met Byron Arnold Aymer (May 25, 1909 – October 17, 1990) whom she married May 28, 1932 at the Fayette County courthouse in the old State Capital Building of Vandalia. Byron was a coal mine engineer and Opal, a homemaker, had two children together, John Richard Aymer (March 26, 1933- July 22, 2010) and Thomas Allen Aymer (June 29, 1940 – May 15, 1941). The couple later adopted their niece, Abigail Kay Alexander (November 3, 1939 – March 13, 2015). They lived in Taylorville until1974 before retiring to Lakeland, FL.
Opal stated she always performed “social work” throughout her life. During the Great Depression, she and Byron housed many war veterans, providing tutoring in essential skills such as reading and personal finance. She was very active in Masonic organizations. In the Order of the Eastern Star (Haslemere Chapter#221, Taylorville), she was instrumental in the raising of money to expand the Eastern Star Home, Macon. She was Mother Advisor and mentor for the International Order of the Rainbow Girls (Taylorville and Lakeland FL.) In the Ladies Oriental Shrine of North America (Lakeland FL.), Opal formed her own eclectic local club, the ‘Pol-Kats,’ who dressed as clowns and performed in parades and events like the Special Olympics and at fundraisers for Shriner’s Hospital for Children. Opal often performed with her eldest great-granddaughter, ‘Pixie.’ After her husband Byron passed, she remained active in the Shrine where she met her good friend Paul ‘Bud’ Hartage, whom she lived with and cared for until his death. A prolific artist and painter, Opal created many realist oil works and taught many drawing and craft courses throughout her life. Opal was keen to remind others that, “people were people” and that love is the most important thing.
Opal passed away March 5th in the Eastern Star Home, Macon, IL. She was preceded in death by her husband, three children and grandson, Charles T. Alexander (November 2, 1961- June 7, 1969). She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Shirley (Foraker) Aymer of Marshalltown, IA; four grandchildren John C. Aymer, Cindy Fuller, Brian Aymer, and Cindy Froehling; Eight great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren with more on the way.
A Celebration of Life for Opal will be at 3 pm on Sunday March 10 at Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Home in Decatur, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. with a visitation two hours prior from 1pm to 3 pm. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Opal?
What’s a lesson you learned from Opal?
Share a story where Opal's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Opal you’ll never forget.
How did Opal make you smile?