PETER ED OPPENHUIZEN

Oppenhuizen, Peter Ed, 60, after a gallant, life-long fight against overwhelming odds, passed away peacefully in his sleep at Western Medical Center, Santa Ana on Friday, October 29, 2010. He was surrounded by members of his family. He is survived by his mother, Delora Lillmars; his sisters, Gail Edlund and Lisa Beckham; his brothers, Erik, Kirk, Luke and Danny Lillmars; various nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews; and his constant companion, Teryne Bell. His father, Peter Oppenhuizen, his stepfather, Earl Lillmars, and his brother, Gary Lillmars, predeceased him. Born in Muskegon, Michigan on Friday, October 13, 1950, Peter was misdiagnosed with muscular dystrophy and expected to only reach age 12. Peter outlived several other dire predictions before finally being diagnosed with Kugelberg-Welander disease (SMA, Type III), or in his words, "Bad Luck!" True to his own dire prediction, "Born to run, gonna die rollin' "-- as seen on the license plate frame of his specially equipped van, a familiar sight at Cal State Fullerton, and later, at Little John's Auction Service -- he broke his neck in a wheelchair accident in late 2006. Totally paralyzed from the neck down, stuck on a ventilator, he still charmed everyone who took care of him. And, he survived nearly another four years to reach the age of 60. For people who knew him, the only times they remembered "the chair" (other than the "click-click-whir," which told you to get out of his way), was when he gave rides to the children of family and friends alike. Peter was a force of nature, who, just by surviving, inspired everyone around him to do better. Details concerning a going away celebration for Peter will not be available from Little John's Auction Service until after January 1, 2011. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the MDA, the NRA or other charity of your choice.