Opal M. Deets died and went to be with her Lord on July 11, 2026. Opal was born August 2, 1926, on the family farm north of Milledgeville. She attended Milledgeville Grade and High School, graduating in 1944. She worked in her brother's grocery store (Seng Food Mart) until marrying Paul F. Deets on January 16, 1949.

   Opal had an active church life, serving as a Sunday School teacher, treasurer, member of C.W.F., and Elder of the Coleta Christian Church, and following its closing, the Christian Church of Sterling. She was also a longtime member of the Whiteside County Homemaker's Extension.

   Opal served as an election judge for Wysox Township for several years. She worked for Sears in the catalog department for over 14 years. Opal was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, as well as a prayer warrior for all her family and friends. God and family were her life.

   She was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather Harry Teeters; her husband of 63 years, Paul; daughter Janet Stocks-Way; two infant grandsons; and one brother Chester (Olive Mae) Seng; one brother-in-law Omer Deets.

   Survivors include one son Alan Deets; Grandchildren Matthew (Amy) Stocks, Jason (Mandi) Deets, Ryan (Sara) Deets, Jessica Stocks; Great-grandchildren Joshua and Kendra Stocks, Dawson Deets, Megan, Lucy, Sadie, and Tessa Deets, Faye and Owen Moeller; Nieces Vicki Hammer, Marla (Sam) Baughman, Leanne Reecher; Nephew Norman Deets; sister-in-law Joyce Deets.

   A special thanks to the ladies who cared for her at home and to the staff of Allure of Sterling.

  Visitation will be 9:30AM-11AM Thursday July 16, 2026 at The First Christian Church in Sterling. Funeral services will be 11AM at Church with pastor Zach Mapes, officiating. Burial will take place at Oak Knoll Memorial Park following the funeral.

   A memorial has been established.

   Condolences may be sent to www.schilligfuneralhome.com