Gregory Allen Opper

Gregory Allen Opper, 'Tar Baby', 69, of Birnamwood, died on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at his home.
Greg was born on May 8, 1956, in Wausau, the son of Leonard and Mary (Kastner) Opper.
Greg met the love of his life, Shelley Stadler in April of 1994. They were united in marriage on December 21, 2018. They shared a wonderful 31 years together.
Greg worked for the Village of Birnamwood and then began his trucking career, working for Delano Meverden Trucking and Ron Christiansen Trucking. He then purchased his own truck, becoming an owner/operator of S&G Trucking until June of 2018. His love for trucking drove him back to the next generation of Ron Christiansen Trucking for another round. He plowed and worked for the town of Birnamwood as well.
Greg enjoyed hunting, collecting antiques and reading hunting and trucking magazines. Greg would fix anything for anyone. He loved the outdoors and could be found sitting on his front porch watching and listening to the wildlife and the Brewer game. In the winter, he looked forward to the annual Vintage Snowmobile Ride with friends and family. He enjoyed his time with 'the boys' on Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings at Chet & Emil's.
Greg is survived by his wife, Shelley; mother, Mary Opper; his daughter, Heather (Seth) Baird, and her children, Brandon (Ally) Norman, and Konner (Liz) Norman; his son, Jason (Katie) Opper and their children, Gaven and Taylor; great-grandchildren, Emmie, Cooper and Wesley Norman; siblings, Patricia Opper of Birnamwood, Christy (Wayne) Clark of Birnamwood, Theresa (Paul) Aas of Hibbing, MN, Keith (Darla) Opper of Wittenberg, Joan (Jim) Bohlman of Arkdale, Kurt (Tina) Opper of Birnamwood and Lori Opper of Weston; sisters-in-law, Denise Olson-Opper and Elise Wolff; mother-in-law, Carol (Richard Smith) Stadler; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ervin (Patti) Stadler Jr., Mark (Julayne) Stadler, Kathy (David) Resch and Vicky (Allan) Beran all of Birnamwood, and Susan Stadler of Shawano; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
Greg was preceded in death by his father, Leonard; brothers, Allen, Lawrence and Thomas, father-in-law, Ervin Stadler Sr.
A Celebration of Life will be on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Chet & Emil's banquet hall in Birnamwood. A Visitation will be from 10 AM until 12 Noon, with a sharing of memories at 12 Noon. Burial will be in St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery, in the Spring.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Birnamwood is assisting the family with arrangements.