Opal Esch

Opal Marie Esch passed away Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at CRMC. She was 86. Opal was born on December 11, 1924 in Sycamore, Kansas to BenjaminFrank and Mildred Hazen Bowen. She grew up in Cherryvale, Kansas where she received her education. She was a graduating student of Cherryvale High School Class of 1943. On January 9, 1944 she was united in marriage to the love of her life, RobertBob Esch at the First Baptist Church in Cherryvale, KS. The following two years the couple traveled the USA while Bob was serving in the military. In May of 1946 the couple made their home in Coffeyville, Kansas. They owned and operated Bob Esch Pattern Shop making patterns for Acme Foundry and many other foundries around the world. Opal was the bookkeeper she ran the books for the 32 years they ran the business. Bob said she never made a mistake. Opal enjoyed shopping with her sister, and gardening. Most of all she loved to take care of her home and family. She made all the girls clothes when they were growing up. She tended to the household chores and cooking. Opal loved her time with her family. Surviving to honor her memory is her loving husband of 67 years, Bob of the home daughters, Janet Dean Reavis and husband, Fred of Tulsa, OK, Debbie Marie Fehring and husband, Jim of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and brotherinlaw, Jack Macy of Pryor, OK. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Mildred and sister, Elene Macy.