HARTFORD CITY, IN
Opal I. Lord, 83, former Mayor of Hartford City, passed away, Friday, March 26, 2010 in Miller’s Merry Manor in Wabash.
The daughter of George Sr. and Gertrude Josephine (Johnson) Wallace, she was born January 9, 1927 in Dunkirk, Indiana. She was a graduate of Hartford City High School, class of 1945. Opal married Charles Franklin Lord on November 15, 1946 in Dunkirk. He preceded her in death on August 30, 1981.
In addition to being the Mayor of Hartford City from 1996 to 2000, she was also active in the Republican State Central Committee, appointed by Governors Whitcomb, Orr, and Bowen. She was the Republican Party Chairman in Blackford County for many years and also a 50 year member and Past Worthy Matron of Purity Chapter #126, Order of Eastern Star.
Mrs. Lord worked for the Bureau of Motor Vehicles as a branch manager for 16 years, as well as, 10 years as the hearing officer at the BMV.
Surviving is her son, K.M. Lord (wife, Ruth), of Somerset, brother Walter Wallace (wife, Janet), of Hartford City, sisters-in-law, Vera Wallace, of Kokomo, and Alyce Wallace, of Nebraska, as well as many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Wendall Wallace and George Wallace, a sister, Sarah Sutton and her husband Bud Sutton.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 30, 2010 in the Grace United Methodist Church, 312 W. Washington St., Hartford City, with Rev. Dr. Gary Hall presiding. Burial will follow in Buckles Cemetery, west of Dunkirk in Niles Township, Delaware County.
Friends may call at Waters Funeral Home, 501 W. Washington St. Hartford City, on Monday, March 29, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday. An Eastern Star service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home.
Her family asks that due to dietary restrictions, please do not send food to the house but instead expressions of sympathy to be in the form of memorials.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or any church of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be made at www.watersfuneralhomes.com.
