Romeo J. Opichka

Romeo J. Opichka 92, Wausau, died Thursday July 26, 2007 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born April 1, 1915 in Denmark, Wisconsin, son of the late Frank and Martha (Berger) Opichka. On November 9, 1940, he married Sylvia Buchberger at St. Mary Catholic Church, Wausau. She survives. In the 1950's Romeo drove school bus and was a mechanic for the former Ceranski Bus Service, Schofield, where he was affectionately known as "Curly". Later, he was employed at Wausau Steel Corporation as a mechanic. Woodworking was a favorite hobby for Romeo and he enjoyed making toys, furniture and knick knacks. Among his favorite things to do were, vegetable gardening, fishing, spoiling his dog Sammy and taking an occasional trip to the casino. Survivors include his wife, Sylvia, four sons, Romeo (Mary) Opichka, Choctaw, Okla., Michael (Lynn) Opichka, Merrill, John Opichka, Biloxi, Miss., Tom (Julieann) Opichka, Wausau, a daughter, Janice (Michael) Lawrence, Wausau, 10 grandchildren, three great grandchildren, five step grandchildren, three step great grandchildren, a sister, Ramona (Jim) Schillak, Rothschild, a sister-in-law, Josephine Opichka, Wausau. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandchild and his siblings, Frank, Orban, Oscar, Clarence, Glenard and Alvin Opichka, Violet Brown, and Evelyn Belter. The funeral mass will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 30, 2007 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau. Rev. William Grevatch will preside. Entombment will be in the Garden of Eternal Rest Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Friends may call Sunday from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau and again Monday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. There will be a parish rosary service at 3:00 p.m. Sunday at the Sixth Street funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to The Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Wausau. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com