Opal M Vandenburg

Opal M. Vandenburg, 93, of Dowagiac, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 31, 2016 at the Westwoods of Niles. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at Clark Chapel & Cremation Services, 405 Center St, Dowagiac with Pastor Brenda Gordon officiating. Burial will follow at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens in Niles.  Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.  Memorials may be made to the Pokagon United Methodist Church. Those wishing to sign Opal’s Memory Book online may do so at www.clarkch.com. Opal was born July 11, 1923 in Bridgman, MI to Roy and Vesta (Robbins) Nash. On July 8, 1943 she married Russell Aldrich, who preceded her in death on January 28, 1960. Opal then married Leonard Vandenburg on November 3, 1960.  She owned and operated Opal’s Food Mart in Pokagon Township for 37 ½ years.  Opal enjoyed sewing and quilting. She was a member of the Pokagon United Methodist church for over 50 years. Opal was very active in the Ladies Aide and the United Methodist Women’s group. She loved her family and enjoyed spending time with all of them, especially her grandchildren. Opal is survived by her son, Roy Vandenburg of Dowagiac; daughters, Marcia (Kenneth) Reed of Dowagiac and Linda (David) Kramb of Dowagiac; six grandchildren, Ron (Cheryl) Phillips, Kevin (Samantha) Vandenburg, Justin (Ashley) Vandenburg, Chris (Jennifer) Reed, Brandon Kramb and Nathan (Kyleigh) Kramb; eight great-grandchildren, Jayden, Alexandria, Melissa, Kaleb, Emma, Addyson, Emily and Tanner. Opal was preceded in death by both of her husbands; grandson, Eric Reed; daughter-in-law, Sue Vandenburg; brothers, Merle Nash, Ernest Nash and Clare Nash; sisters, Lila Pease, Viola Harvey and Leota Nash