Opal Ruthene Heironimus

Opal Ruthene Heironimus went to be with the Lord and Savior on May 21, 2017, at Cottage in the Meadow. Opal was born January 22, 1920 in Hartshorn, Missouri to William and Anna Belle Smith. She was the fourth child of seven children and was raised and educated in Hartshorn, Missouri. On March 23, 1937, Opal married Henry Heironimus, Jr. in Salem, Missouri. They moved to the Yakima Valley in 1947 and have lived here since.

Opal enjoyed being a homemaker, worked at Eddy’s Bakery, and liked working in the orchards. She was a generous, strong woman and rarely spoke of her own struggles. She was every bit as kind and gentle as she was strong. She focused her attention on her family and serving her church. She was a charter member of Yakima Bible Baptist Church. She was full of wisdom and has left behind a legacy that will be cherished by all whose lives she touched.

Opal and Henry spent many years traveling in their motorhome south to Arizona, and many fishing trips to Maryhill State Park and the Oregon Coast with friends and family. She loved to paint and wallpaper every time she had a chance when Jr. went fishing and always had a large garden to tend to and canned many fruits and vegetables to enjoy in the winter months. Opal was a great pie maker! She could whip up a pie in no time and it was simply delicious.

Opal is survived by her 2 sons; Robert (Glenda) Heironimus of Yakima; Howard Heironimus of Clatskanie, Oregon; sister Myrtle Hagar of Yakima; brother Howard Smith of Summersville, Missouri; 6 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild and many beloved nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Henry Heironimus; sons Bill Heironimus, Mike Heironimus; daughters Mary Desallier and Linda Sue Owens; her parents, 1 sister and 3 brothers.

Opal was very proud of her grandkids and great-grandkids and was always anxious to hear the latest on their sports events and activities. She was an avid Mariners fan; Ichiro being her favorite player.

The family would like to thank the Memorial Hospice staff that came to the house to care for Opal and the caring staff at Cottage in the Meadow. A special thanks to Erika and Babe Hoyt for their devoted care and friendship to Opal. She couldn’t have asked for any better neighbors.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 2, 2017 at 12 noon at Yakima Bible Baptist Church, 6201 Tieton Drive, burial will follow at West Hills Memorial Park. To share a memory of Opal visit, www.lepfuneralhome.com.