Notes:
Data source is Susan Kingrey Boxberger. E-mail hgb001@aol.com
asthma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
In accordance with her and Virgil's wishes, there was a private funeral for family members only, then a closed-casket memorial service immediately after on December 10. Her body was then cremated, and her ashes were buried at Leavenworth (Kansas) National Cemetery on December 13. The reasons for this choice were that neither of them wished for "a fuss" to be made over their death and subsequent arrangements; especially, they didn't want the unnecessary expense of a big funeral, casket, burial site, etc. Because Virgil was a veteran (non-Combat, Marine Corps drill sargent in the early 50's at Cherry Point, NC) they were eligible for National Cemetery burial. Leavenworth was closest.
Opal was named after her second cousin, Opal Baumgartner, the daughter of Walter and Bertha Baumgartner and granddaughter of John and Mary (Mader) Baumgartner. The name was chosen by Opal Wehneman's Grandmother (Ida Effie Cook) Mader. "Effie" had also named her own twins after Walter and Bertha Baumgartner.
The following obituary appeared in the Kansas City Star on Monday, December 9, and in the Piqua (Ohio) Daily Call later that week:
Opal (Wehneman) Kingrey of Weatherby Lake, Kansas City, MO, passed away Saturday, December 7, 2002 at her home after a long battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held Tuesday at 11:00 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 5409 NW 72nd St., Kansas City, MO. Cremation. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the church, St. Luke's Hospice, The American Cancer Society, or CaringBridge.org. All contributions can be made through the church.
Opal was born June 25, 1930 in Houston, Ohio to Lawrence and Goldie (Mader) Wehneman. They precede her in death, along with a brother, George. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Virgil, of the home; daughter Linda and son-in-law Dan Hungerford of West Des Moines, IA; daughter Susan and son-in-law Harold of Olathe, KS; son Alan and daughter-in-law Robin of Norwalk IA, seven grandchildren, brother Arthur Wehneman of Houston, OH, sister Hazel Jackson of Battle Creek, MI, sister Nola Hines of Troy, OH, and numerous extended family and friends.
It also appeared in the Mason City (Iowa) Globe Gazette on Tuesday, December 10, with the following additional paragraph:
The Kingrey family lived in Mason City from 1971 until 1979. During most of that time, Opal worked for the Mason City Area Chamber of Commerce. She was Grand Marshall of the Band Festival Parade in 1980. The family were members of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Possible living individual, birth date and location removed!