Marilyn K. Opfer

Marilyn K. Opfer, 88, a lifelong Clay Center resident, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, February 13, 2025. The daughter of Clarence and Marie (Baker) Moritz, she was born in Martin, Ohio on February 22, 1936. She graduated from Genoa High School in 1954 and later met Vernon Opfer, whom she married at Trinity United Church of Christ, Elliston, Ohio, on May 18, 1957.

Marilyn was a dedicated resident of Clay Center, a town she truly loved, proven by her many dedicated years of service to that community. She served as the clerk-treasurer, the income tax commissioner, and as a councilperson for many years. She truly wanted to make Clay Center a great place to live and raise a family.

Marilyn also dedicated herself to the Clay Center Volunteer Fire Department. She was the founding member of the Clay Center Fireettes, an organization of women dedicated to raising funds and supporting the fire department in their duties. She went on to become the first female firefighter for the department, and one of the first firefighting women in Ottawa county. Marilyn served in many capacities with the department, including Engineer and later achieving the rank of Assistant Fire Chief of the EMS department. She retired from active duty due to health issues after 27 years but continued her dedication by serving as a Clay Center Village Council representative on the Allen-Clay Joint Fire District Board of Directors, retiring in 2024.

Marilyn was a volunteer with the Red Cross, working at Bloodmobile sites, offering blood pressure checks at the Genoa Senior Center, St. John’s United Church of Christ, and the former Clay Center Fire Department building. She also taught CPR classes to many firefighters, EMS providers, and local citizens.

Marilyn worked just as hard at home as she did for her community, raising three children and helping her husband, Vernon, remodel their home. She was an avid bowler for many years and fully committed to her extensive work on genealogy.

Marilyn is survived by her children, Christina (Gaylord) Sheldon, Neil (Karen Cousino) Opfer, and Jennifer Walton, grandchildren, Carrie Sheldon, Adrienne (Michael Hefferon) Walton, and James (Chloe) Walton, great grandchildren, Rebecca Sheldon, Annabelle Walton, Charles Cline, James Walton, and her brother, Bruce Moritz. She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon, who passed away October 27, 1997, her parents, Clarence & Marie, sister, Rosalyn Novotney, and brothers, Wayne & Merle Moritz.

Visitation for Marilyn will be held on Monday, March 3, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 PM at the Robinson-Walker Funeral Home, 501 West St., Genoa, Ohio, with a Fireman’s Service at 6:30 PM in the funeral home. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in the funeral home with burial to follow in the Elliston Cemetery, Elliston, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the James Walton Medical Scholarship Fund, c/o the Genoa Area Local Schools Scholarship Foundation, 801 Main Street, Genoa, Ohio 43430. Online condolences may be shared at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.