Opal Leona Laughlin Hays, daughter of Barbara (Strouse) and George Taylor, was born
July 25, 1916 and died February 5, 2009. She grew up on the family
farm in Tiverton, OH and attended grade school in Tiverton. In 1934,
she graduated from Warsaw High School. While still in school she met
Reese Davis Laughlin and they married October 16, 1934. They made
their home for 36 years in Warsaw, OH.
Their children are Gerald Lee Laughlin ( Kay), Janet Jean Harper ( Jeri),
and R. Diane Tulp ( Lloyd). Opal leaves six grandchildren and two
great grandchildren. They are Christopher, Kathy, and Tom Laughlin,
Lindsay, Christopher, and Stephanie Tulp, and Sara and Abigail
Laughlin. Opal attended The Warsaw United Methodist
Church and belonged to the Homemaker's Club and the Century Club.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Reese, in 1972.
Opal is survived by a brother, Forrest Wayne Taylor (Audrey) and a
sister, June Taylor Watts. A sister, Rose Taylor Hawkins is deceased.
Some years later she renewed a friendship with Bill Hays whose family had lived in the Tiverton area. In 1976, Opal and Bill married and established a home in Fremont, MI. From this union Opal gained six more children. They are Richard and Susan Hays, Carol and Robert Gerbel, Susan and Russ Surbrook, Sandra and William DeBruyn, Lorna and Carl Montgomery, Lawrence and Marcella Hays and 16 grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren. For the past 10 years Opal and Bill have made their home in the Bradenton, FL area.
Opal was a warm and loving lady. She always had a smile on her face. Her name was Opal and she was truly a "gem." Our family has lost a very special person in our lives: she had a warm heart, beautiful smile, and love enough for each and every one of us.
Memorial services will be held at the Fischer Funeral Home in Warsaw, OH on May 30, 2009 at 11am. Robert Chase. a family friend, and Ronnie Davis of the Gospel Hill Church will officiate at the service. Internment will be immediately following the service at Valley View cemetery. The family requests friends and family gather at the Warsaw United Methodist Church immediately following the internment to celebrate Opal's life through conversation, pictures, and love. A light lunch will be served. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation be made to your favorite charity or the Warsaw United Methodist Church in Opal's name.
