Craig Opperman

CRAIG L. OPPERMAN Click here to view a video of Craig's life IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Craig Lewis Opperman, 55, of Idaho Falls, passed away July 15, 2008, at Madison Memorial Hospital of heart failure. He was born May 23, 1953, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Lewis Lorraine Opperman and Melba Mahala Thornock Opperman. He grew up and attended schools in Idaho Falls and graduated from Skyline High School in 1971. He attended Ricks College, served in the Kentucky Tennessee LDS Mission, and joined the U. S. Air Force. He married Terrie Poulsen July 11, 1975, and they were later divorced. He married Connie Brown Atkinson January 22, 1994, in Ogden, Utah. He worked 26 years for the U. S. Postal Service. Craig enjoyed moving pipe as a young man and worked steady all his life to make sure his family and friends were cared for and had the things they needed; mostly he enjoyed working with other people. An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served as Sunday School President and in various other positions, and especially enjoyed teaching family history classes. He served as President of the local Postal Union and various union positions. He also helped organize Skyline High School Class of 1971 reunions. He loved family history research, hanging Christmas lights, gardening, and spending time with friends and family. Survivors include: his Wife: Connie of Idaho Falls, ID Son: Jonathan (Jennifer ) Opperman of Idaho Falls, ID Daughter: Michelle (Ken) Christiansen of Idaho Falls, ID Son: Cristopher (Nicole) Opperman of Idaho Falls, ID Daughter: Cynthia Opperman of Long Beach, CA Daughter: Crystal (Tim) Alvord of Layton, UT Son: Trent (Bobette) Atkinson of Idaho Falls, ID Daughter: Candice (Chris) Preston of Idaho Falls, ID Son: Trevor (Alicia) Atkinson of Idaho Falls, ID Sister: Debbie (Bruce) Mills of Idaho Falls, ID Sister: Janet (John) Walker of Lewisville, ID Sister: Sheri (Gene) Keyser of Mesa, AZ 11 Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson. Graveside Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 19, 2008, at Fielding Memorial Park, with Bishop Kent Browning of the Idaho Falls LDS Taylor Crossing Ward officiating. The family will visit with friends Friday, July 18, 2008, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge. A private family visitation will be held prior to the services on Saturday. Burial will be in the Fielding Memorial Park under the direction of Wood Funeral Home. Military Rites will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and Idaho Honor Guard. --------------------------------------------- Condolences received online: Blaine and Dona Jensen benana@cableone.net Dear Trevor and family: We are so sorry to hear of Craig's passing. He was such an awesome man. He really made going to the post office fun. He always had a story or joke for me. You are all blessed to have a husband and father like him, and we are so glad we had a friend like him too. You are in our prayers. Blaine, Dona, Brian and Kylee Jensen Lynn Brown lynn@ggmarketing-slc.com Craig was an GREAT MAN. I have known Craig for quite some time. He was known for his loud voice and happy smiling face. Craig always made you feel welcome in his home and always would offer you a drink or something to eat. I will miss our talks about life, kids, and all the teasing we did back and forth. We will all miss Craig and will remember him always. My life has been a much better life knowing Craig. He was a great example of a man, husband, father, and grandpa. I will miss him dearly. Drew & Trudy Johnson Debbie and family, I was saddened to learn of Craig's passing. He was a good man with a big heart. I appreciated the times I spoke with him in the Post Office and elsewhere. He like the rest of us had trials and challenges but he seemed to be able to retain a good attitude and a bright outlook. I am glad I knew him. May the Lord bless you all. Sincerely, Drew and Trudy Johnson Trudy & Boyd Malan troodles123@hotmail.com Connie & Family: You are in our Prayers and Thoughts! Craig was such a great friend, cousin, and later a brother-in-law. He was a great example to myself and others. He had an amazing capacity for love and set a great example for us all! He went out of his way to make sure others were happy and well taken care of! He had a great sense of humor and always greeted others with a smile; bear hug, and a chuckle. He worked tirelessly on Family History Research and unselfishly shared it with others - usually at his own expense! He dearly loved his wonderful wife, Connie, and all of his family! He was greatly loved by all and will be deeply missed!!! We sure love you!!! Trudy & Boyd Donna Cook Dear Family, We shall miss Craig so much! He left us way too soon!!! He was so diligent in his genealogical pursuit - his never-ending pursuit of his fathers family working hand in hand with his mother to connect families! He shall be known for his desire to help others - not only his family but strangers who came into the Post Office and many others! We will miss his booming voice - his knowledge of the Gospel and all he did for us in our Family History Goals! So many people will remember his work helping relatives and friends get to the "Great Idaho Fireworks" And he and Connie made sure they were well fed and got them home safely! His LOVE for Connie and their combined families was sooo apparent ! His life was not easy - but he took it like a man! Well done my Good and Faithful Nephew !!! Much Love to Connie and the Family! Aunt Donna Sara Watkins wat05013@byui.edu I just wanted you to know that I am very sorry for your loss. I was one of the students that did CPR on your husband, and I want you to know that I am very sorry. I would be willing to talk with you and answer questions if you would like. Thank you so much. my email is wat05013@byui.edu Jeanie - Brooke jeanie@3dfire.com We were very sorry and shocked to hear of Craig's passing. We have gone to the Eagle Rock Post Office for many years, and always enjoyed his outgoing, friendly personality. Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this time. Chris Santos IAPWU@aol.com My name is Chris Santos. I am the President of the Idaho State American Postal Workers Union. Over the last twenty-six years I had the pleasure of working with Craig as an Officer of the Idaho Falls Local of the APWU. He did an outstanding job representing the membership of the Idaho Falls local. I will always remember his great smile and his laugh. He will be deeply missed by his brothers and sisters of the American Postal Workers Union. Jeff & Francie LaMarche Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. Gary & Shirley Cook Dearest Family: We were shocked and so saddened to hear of our dear sweet cousin’s early passing. A wonderful guy has left us and we know he will be welcomed with open arms on the other side. Craig was one of the most selfless people we know. He always was concerned for the happiness and comfort of others. He showed this every time we were near him - at reunions, family gatherings, and our trips to Idaho Falls. No wonder he was taken early - that is what we are all here to learn to do, and Craig did that to perfection - serving his fellow man. We will miss you, dear Craig. Connie and family, please know that our thoughts, prayers, and love are with you all. Gary, Shirley and Family Roy and Linda Thornock lthornock@weber.edu Connie, we will sure miss hearing from Craig. Since Melba's passing, Craig was so good about calling us. We know how much he missed his mother and now he is having a great reunion with both his mother and father. He left us all too soon. Family history seemed to be one of his passions and he left this life doing what he loved. We know he'll be blessed for his endeavors. For you Connie, and Craig's children and sisters, I know what a very difficult time this must be. I guess just thinking about all the good in Craig will be the best memory you can have. Craig was a good friend to Roy and I, and Roy especially enjoyed chatting with him. He was very easy to talk with. Roy learned a lot from Craig about family history. We will both miss seeing him. May you be comforted at this time. Love, Uncle Roy and Aunt Linda The Vest Family Dearest Connie and Family, Our thoughts and hearts are with you . . . . Craig and you have always been close to our hearts and we have so appreciated all of your help in our times of sorrow and need. Craig was an outstanding man, with a kind and caring soul. We will miss his jokes and his great smile. He made the 4th of July extra special with his great personality that went higher and shined brighter than any of the other fireworks! We hope that it is of some comfort to your family to know that Craig managed to put a string of lights around all of our hearts. Our Deepest Sympathy, Margaret, David, Becky & Donna Tracie Grant tggran@yahoo.com Connie and family, my thoughts are with you during this difficult time. It's hard to believe I had my first ever and last ever chat with Craig last week. He was so friendly and cheerful when I dropped some visiting teaching things off. I'm sure he's even more cheerful now, but I imagine you are left with heavy hearts. He promised me he'd stay out of trouble and I suppose he's keeping that promise now. God bless you all. Love, Tracie Grant Eric and Deb Christiansen We are very sorry to hear of your loss and wish to send you all of our sympathy and love to you in remembrance of Craig. May God be with you all. Lansing Building Products The crew at Lansing Building Products of Idaho Falls would all like to extend our condolences and heartfelt sympathies to you and yours in these trying times. Larry Johnston ilbcnyou@hotmail.com I worked with Craig at the Post Office. He is a good friend and a great man. He was always sincerely interested in my life and always asked about my family. He was a friend of my parents and asked after their welfare often. He counseled me on union problems at work and advised me on family matters as well. It was so hard on him to lose his mom, and he told me often how important it was to plan well for the future. I will miss his cheerful grumpiness :) and his grand laugh and his full heart. Our prayers are with you all. It's nice to know he's now been welcomed on the other side by those he's been doing work for here. Sincerely, Larry Johnston Carl and Shirley Woodruff shirley@yostonline.com Dear Family, we knew Craig from when he and his family lived in the 32nd/40th Ward in Idaho Falls, when the only ward house in the area was Virow Building. Craig was our son's Cub Scout master along with his son Jonathan. I also went to one of his ward's Sunday School classes and did a genealogy presentation on finding New England Families. I talked to Craig many times at the Post Office and we exchanged ideas on family history. He always had a joke to tell or had some sweet comment to give. He will be missed. My husband Carl and I moved to Iowa two years ago, so I missed seeing Craig and wondered if he was still at the Post Office. I saw Ray there and others that I knew but not Craig. I must have gone during his lunch or he had retired. I didn't ask. I know for a time he was sent to 4th Street to work. That was a nightmare for him, I'm sure. The D Street Post Office is and was so friendly. You got to know the clerks well. We are looking forward to returning to Idaho in the near future. Again, your father, husband and our friend will be missed. But what joy he is receiving for his work he did for those on his side now! Sincerely, Shirley Woodruff Marla Jo High marjo50@cableone.net Just wanted to let you know that you are in my prayers at this hard time in your life. I have been working at Eagle Rock and had said goodbye to Craig on Tuesday when he left. You just never know when it is the last goodbye to someone. I have worked with him for 20 years and we all feel the loss, but not like you. May God and your faith keep you strong every day. Love, Marla Jo Linda & Dale Shearer lindale49@gmail.com We are so sorry to have missed the obituary and therefore the funeral of your father and our great friend. I visited the Post Office yesterday and saw the beautiful picture and vase of flowers and that is how I found out about Craig's passing. The other clerk had a hard time talking to me about it, he said that they had worked so closely for 23 years. Course, our family goes back to the days when the kids were young in the old neighborhood and the 40th Ward. I was Jonathan's Blazer Scout Leader and have so many wonderful memories of all that fun (and hard work) of those Scouting Days. I am so proud of Jon and his achievements. I saw your Dad often by doing business there at the down town P.O. and always enjoyed a very friendly chat. He knew so many people, and it was obvious that he enjoyed all that interaction. He always had a positive word for everyone. l loved to visit with him for those few minutes. I enjoyed keeping up the news of you kids. I will greatly miss seeing his smiling friendly face behind the counter. Please know that we send our condolences and pray that the family memories will be of comfort to each one of you. May the Lord's blessings be with you. Love The Shearer Family.