Opal B Cutler
(January 24, 1924 – January 01, 2016)
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2016 in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL with Rev. William T. Dahlberg officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Saturday. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL. Memorials may be given to Salem Lutheran Church, 1629 South Sixth Street, Rockford, IL 61104.
Opal was born on January 24, 1924 on the family farm near Sylvan, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of Everett and Christina (Hanson) Higginbotham. Opal graduated from the Lone Rock High School in Lone Rock, WI. Following high school, Opal earned her pilot’s license. She married William K. Cutler on November 19, 1947 at the First United Methodist Church in Shelbyville, IL.
Opal and her husband Bill owned and managed the Hilltop Restaurant in Potosi, WI. As a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Rockford, IL, she was active in the 3 M’s and Sarah Circle. Opal was very involved in the Sons of Norway and the Daughters of Valhall, where she served as president and on the executive board. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, where she held the position of Worthy Matron. Opal volunteered as a tutor at Haskell School and in her earlier years had been a Girl Scout Leader.
She loved her family and especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Opal enjoyed fishing and camping, bird watching, bike riding, exercise classes and traveling. She especially loved her trip to Norway, to return to the family homestead. She also enjoyed spending winters in Florida.
Opal is survived by her husband of 68 years, William K. Cutler; daughters, Jacqueline E. (Richard) Jewell and Janet S. (Terry) Carter all of Rockford, IL; grandchildren, Theresa (John) Norwood, Rich (Lisa) Jewell and Christina (Jerry) Rudolph all of Rockford, IL; great grandchildren, Katerina (Steven) Rockwell of Oak Creek, WI, Brittany and Grace Jewell, twins, Carter and J.R. Rudolph and David Rudolph all of Rockford, IL; brother, Dan (Jeanette) Higginbotham of Wausau, WI; and several nieces and nephews.
Opal was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Harold, Lester and Clarence Higginbotham; and sisters, Bessie Cooper and Letha Dull.
Special thanks to Dr. Phalen and his nurse Julie, Nancy and Jody, and also to Hospice Care of America for all of their help on her journey home.
Send condolences at www.howeandyockey.com