Jean Opel

Jean Opel, 89 years old, passed away peacefully in her home in Lakewood, Colorado on November 24, 2023. 

Jean Abernathy was born on July 28, 1934, in Montrose, Colorado and graduated from Central High School in Pueblo, Colorado.  Jean and Melvin were married on July 25, 1954, in Pueblo, Colorado.  After their marriage they resided in Portland, Oregon until they moved to Denver, Colorado in 1957.

Jean’s main career was raising 6 children.  Jean worked with her late husband in the alarm business for many years.  She also worked various positions at a knitting factory, Samsonite, Community Service Systems, and Cloverdale Church of God.

Jean and Mel loved hosting people in their home for meals, games and Bible Study.  Jean was a league bowler and an avid Broncos fan.  She enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s sporting events and cheering them on.  Jean joyfully served God at Cloverdale Church of God.    God gifted her with beautiful voice that she used as worship leader, choir member, soloist and choir leader.  She used a wide range of other gifts as she taught Sunday School, coordinated funeral dinners, served as the Vacation Bible School “pocket lady”, church treasurer, church secretary and the list goes on and on.  She participated in a Cooking Club learning new recipes and cooking techniques.   

Mourning Jean’s passing are her children:  Debbie (John) Hardy, Don (Bo) Opel, Roxie (Larry) Green, Candy (Ken) Briles, Doug (Tracy) Opel, Dar Opel, seventeen grandchildren and twenty-three (with one on the way) great grandchildren.  Waiting to welcome her in heaven are:  her husband Melvin, her infant son Stevie, her parents Marion and Thelma Abernathy, her siblings Helen Ostrander, Edith Romansky and Fred Abernathy.