Name: Joel Maurice Opsomer Date: January 6th, 1930 - February 5th, 2010 Obituary: WASHINGTON – Joel Maurice Opsomer, 80, of Washington, IL died at 6:37 pm Friday, February 5, 2010 in the emergency room at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Born on January 6, 1930 in Detroit, MI to Maurice and Anna M. Samyn Opsomer, he married Wilma K. Krueger on September 5, 1953 in Fort Wayne, IN. She survives. Also surviving are his children; Kathleen M. (Heinz) Schlack of Washington, IL, Michael J. (Sinda) Opsomer of Springfield, MO, and Karen L. (Roland) Kieffer of Grover, MO; two grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, and four step-great grandchildren. Joel was a graduate of Indiana Technical College in Fort Wayne, IN. He served in the United States Marine Corp Reserve and also was a Korean War Army veteran. He worked in sales for Caterpillar Inc, retiring in September of 1985. He also worked as a tax preparer for H & R Block in Washington for 16 years, retiring in 2002. Joel was a member and former lay trustee of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Washington, IL. He was also Past President of the St. Patrick Men’s Club and Past President of the St. Patrick Commission of Education. Joel was a Charter Member and first Grand Knight of the Father John Menco Council #6707 Knight of Columbus in Washington. He was a member of the Planning Commission in the City of Washington for 10 years. A funeral mass for Joel will be at 10 am Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Father Joseph P. Donton will officiate. Burial will be at Glendale Cemetery in Washington. Visitation will be from 4-7pm on Monday, February 8, 2010 at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington, where recitation of the Rosary will be at 6:45 pm. Memorials: St. Patrick Father Schubert Endowment Fund or the Washington Rescue Squad Visitations: 4:00PM to 7:00PM on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at Deiters Funeral Home & Crematory - Washington (Prayer at 6:45PM) (map/driving directions) Services: 10:00AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 (map/driving directions) Cemetery: Glendale Cemetery 600 Oakwood Lane Washington, IL 61571 (map/driving directions)