Obituary of Opal Courts

Opal Courts, age 80, of Carleton, passed away at 12:34 pm on Thursday, September 18, 2008 at Fountainview of Monroe. She had been under the care of Mercy Memorial Hospice of Monroe. Opal was born on April 4, 1928 in Rockholds, Kentucky from the marriage of the late Jarvis Johnson and the late Ida (Monholland) Johnson. She attended school in Rockholds, and married Ray Courts on June 7, 1945 in Huntington, West Virginia. Opal wasn't a stranger to work. While living in the South, Opal worked several years at a munitions plant to assist and support the war effort. Her position at the plant required the essential task of assembling artillery pieces. After moving to Monroe Opal took employment at the River Raisin Paper Company. Although working outside the home was necessary, Opal considered being a homemaker her most important work. After the children left home she took employment as a Nurse's Aide at the Frenchtown Nursing Home. In February of 1978, her beloved husband, Ray had a stroke and Opal retired to devote herself to his care. Opal listed quilting and gardening among her chosen hobbies. She also valued playing cards and especially a good game of poker. Her memory will forever be cherished by a loving family which includes: her attentive daughter: Constance Webb of Carleton; a beloved son: Randy and daughter-in-law Lois Courts of Monroe; two sisters: Dorothy and brother-in-law J.D. Beason of Monroe and June Crabtree of Three Rivers, Michigan; four grandsons: Mike Simonelli of Carleton, Andrew (Emily) Courts, Richard (Tamara) Courts, and Benjamin Courts all of Monroe; a great grandson: Alex Courts also of Monroe. In addition to her parents her passing was preceded by her husband on September 27, 1981; a brother: Amos Johnson; two sisters: Gladys and Joann Johnson; a brother-in-law: Jim Crabtree; and two sons-in-law: Donald Lee Webb and Michael Simonelli Sr. Family and Friends will gather from 2pm until a Celebration of Her Life at 6:00pm on Monday, September 22, 2008 at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe Street, Frenchtown Township, (734) 384-5185. Private interment will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park, LaSalle at a later date. For those desiring the family suggests gifts of love be made to Mercy Memorial Hospice, 725 North Monroe Street, Monroe. Online words of inspiration and comfort may be sent to the Merkle website at www.merklefuneralservice.com and then selecting the Life Stories page.