A transplanted "Southern Belle", she was a feminist before feminism, an activist before activism, a movie lover, a gardener extraordinaire, a cook who cooked real food, and a tireless dancer...everyone's idea of a Mother and Grandmother yet a flirt and Grande Dame too. She left us all thinking each was her favorite.
OPAL E. MATCHAM
(1907-2001)
Opal E. Matcham, 94, of 191 East Queenwood Road, Morton, died at 6:30 a.m. Monday, November 12, 2001 at Methodist Medical Center of Illinois in Peoria. She was formerly of Peoria.
Born August 16, 1907 in Chidester, Arkansas to Robert Harmon and Maggie Martin Hindman, she married Earl Blair in 1928. She later married Edward Matcham November 8, 1949 in Peoria. He died December 21, 1965 in Hindsdale, IL. One daughter (Vivian Blair), one great-grandson, four brothers, and one sister also preceded her in death.
Surviving are three daughters, Venice Monroe of Pekin, Marlene Blair of Weeki-Wachee, Florida, and Shirley Galleger of Peoria; eight grandchildren: Terry, Marlene, Sharon, Barbara, Tom, Greg, Laurie, and Rhonda; nine great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and three sisters, Elsie Sweatman Merritt of Camden, Arkansas, Ruth Vincent of Bearden, Arkansas, and Gene Barton of Gurdon, Arkansas.
Mrs. Matcham owned and operated Opal's Cafe on Main Street in Peoria for over 30 years, retiring in 1979.
She was a lifetime member and past president of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 1869 Auxiliary in Pekin and a member of the American Business Women's Association in Peoria.
Active in the Democratic Party in Peoria and Pekin, she was a former Democratic precinct judge for many years. She was ecstatic when Bill Clinton of Arkansas was elected President and when he and Hillary sent her a birthday card. She also met U.S. Senator Paul Simon of Illinois who called to wish her well when she was in the hospital.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, November 15, 2001 at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. The Rev. Kenneth Yocum will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Burial will be in Maple Ridge Cemetery in Mapleton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Memorial and Tributes Program, Department 77-3968, Chicago, Illinois 60678-3968.
OPAL E. MATCHAM
(1907-2001)
Opal E. Matcham, 94, of 191 East Queenwood Road, Morton, died at 6:30 a.m. Monday, November 12, 2001 at Methodist Medical Center of Illinois in Peoria. She was formerly of Peoria.
Born August 16, 1907 in Chidester, Arkansas to Robert Harmon and Maggie Martin Hindman, she married Earl Blair in 1928. She later married Edward Matcham November 8, 1949 in Peoria. He died December 21, 1965 in Hindsdale, IL. One daughter (Vivian Blair), one great-grandson, four brothers, and one sister also preceded her in death.
Surviving are three daughters, Venice Monroe of Pekin, Marlene Blair of Weeki-Wachee, Florida, and Shirley Galleger of Peoria; eight grandchildren: Terry, Marlene, Sharon, Barbara, Tom, Greg, Laurie, and Rhonda; nine great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and three sisters, Elsie Sweatman Merritt of Camden, Arkansas, Ruth Vincent of Bearden, Arkansas, and Gene Barton of Gurdon, Arkansas.
Mrs. Matcham owned and operated Opal's Cafe on Main Street in Peoria for over 30 years, retiring in 1979.
She was a lifetime member and past president of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 1869 Auxiliary in Pekin and a member of the American Business Women's Association in Peoria.
Active in the Democratic Party in Peoria and Pekin, she was a former Democratic precinct judge for many years. She was ecstatic when Bill Clinton of Arkansas was elected President and when he and Hillary sent her a birthday card. She also met U.S. Senator Paul Simon of Illinois who called to wish her well when she was in the hospital.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, November 15, 2001 at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. The Rev. Kenneth Yocum will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Burial will be in Maple Ridge Cemetery in Mapleton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Memorial and Tributes Program, Department 77-3968, Chicago, Illinois 60678-3968.
A transplanted "Southern Belle", she was a feminist before feminism, an activist before activism, a movie lover, a gardener extraordinaire, a cook who cooked real food, and a tireless dancer...everyone's idea of a Mother and Grandmother yet a flirt and Grande Dame too. She left us all thinking each was her favorite.
OPAL E. MATCHAM
(1907-2001)
Opal E. Matcham, 94, of 191 East Queenwood Road, Morton, died at 6:30 a.m. Monday, November 12, 2001 at Methodist Medical Center of Illinois in Peoria. She was formerly of Peoria.
Born August 16, 1907 in Chidester, Arkansas to Robert Harmon and Maggie Martin Hindman, she married Earl Blair in 1928. She later married Edward Matcham November 8, 1949 in Peoria. He died December 21, 1965 in Hindsdale, IL. One daughter (Vivian Blair), one great-grandson, four brothers, and one sister also preceded her in death.
Surviving are three daughters, Venice Monroe of Pekin, Marlene Blair of Weeki-Wachee, Florida, and Shirley Galleger of Peoria; eight grandchildren: Terry, Marlene, Sharon, Barbara, Tom, Greg, Laurie, and Rhonda; nine great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and three sisters, Elsie Sweatman Merritt of Camden, Arkansas, Ruth Vincent of Bearden, Arkansas, and Gene Barton of Gurdon, Arkansas.
Mrs. Matcham owned and operated Opal's Cafe on Main Street in Peoria for over 30 years, retiring in 1979.
She was a lifetime member and past president of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 1869 Auxiliary in Pekin and a member of the American Business Women's Association in Peoria.
Active in the Democratic Party in Peoria and Pekin, she was a former Democratic precinct judge for many years. She was ecstatic when Bill Clinton of Arkansas was elected President and when he and Hillary sent her a birthday card. She also met U.S. Senator Paul Simon of Illinois who called to wish her well when she was in the hospital.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, November 15, 2001 at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. The Rev. Kenneth Yocum will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Burial will be in Maple Ridge Cemetery in Mapleton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Memorial and Tributes Program, Department 77-3968, Chicago, Illinois 60678-3968.
OPAL E. MATCHAM
(1907-2001)
Opal E. Matcham, 94, of 191 East Queenwood Road, Morton, died at 6:30 a.m. Monday, November 12, 2001 at Methodist Medical Center of Illinois in Peoria. She was formerly of Peoria.
Born August 16, 1907 in Chidester, Arkansas to Robert Harmon and Maggie Martin Hindman, she married Earl Blair in 1928. She later married Edward Matcham November 8, 1949 in Peoria. He died December 21, 1965 in Hindsdale, IL. One daughter (Vivian Blair), one great-grandson, four brothers, and one sister also preceded her in death.
Surviving are three daughters, Venice Monroe of Pekin, Marlene Blair of Weeki-Wachee, Florida, and Shirley Galleger of Peoria; eight grandchildren: Terry, Marlene, Sharon, Barbara, Tom, Greg, Laurie, and Rhonda; nine great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and three sisters, Elsie Sweatman Merritt of Camden, Arkansas, Ruth Vincent of Bearden, Arkansas, and Gene Barton of Gurdon, Arkansas.
Mrs. Matcham owned and operated Opal's Cafe on Main Street in Peoria for over 30 years, retiring in 1979.
She was a lifetime member and past president of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 1869 Auxiliary in Pekin and a member of the American Business Women's Association in Peoria.
Active in the Democratic Party in Peoria and Pekin, she was a former Democratic precinct judge for many years. She was ecstatic when Bill Clinton of Arkansas was elected President and when he and Hillary sent her a birthday card. She also met U.S. Senator Paul Simon of Illinois who called to wish her well when she was in the hospital.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, November 15, 2001 at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. The Rev. Kenneth Yocum will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Burial will be in Maple Ridge Cemetery in Mapleton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Memorial and Tributes Program, Department 77-3968, Chicago, Illinois 60678-3968.
Family Members
Siblings
Half Siblings
