Opal R. Felix

Opal Ruth Felix, 97, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on September 26, 2025 at the IU Health Arnett Hospital. She was born on February 14, 1928 in Clinton County, Indiana to Harry and Merti (Martz) Metzger. Growing up in the Rossville area, she helped during her teen years at her parents' restaurant, The Hornet's Nest. She graduated from Rossville High School in 1946. She met Delton Felix on a double date, although he was actually her friend's date. Del was immediately smitten by Opal's beauty and charm, and their courtship led to the couple's marriage on January 16, 1949. They enjoyed 55 happy years together until his passing on November 11, 2004.
Her employment included Retail Clerks International Union in Lafayette for five years following high school and seventeen years for the Purdue University Bursar's Office from which she retired in1987. Part of her responsibilities there included taking student ID photos. She was especially thrilled when the star athletes would come in for their picture. Upon retirement, she worked as a "Pink Lady" volunteer in the Home Hospital Ambulatory Surgery Department.
Most central to Opal's life was her family and faith community. She was a dedicated member of the Lafayette Church of the Brethren, where she sang in the choir, actively supported the Women's Fellowship, and served on various commissions and as the financial secretary. Opal and Del enjoyed taking camping vacations with their young family to different parts of the United States and in their retirement years continued their travels, including trips to Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Europe, and other destinations with friends and family members. Opal was an excellent cook and was especially known for her delicious pies, which she often shared with others. She loved being a grandmother and enjoyed many trips through the years to Indianapolis to attend her grandchildren's activities and celebrations. Opal was truly the "gem" of her family, and gathering for her Valentine's Day birthday always brightened the winter months.
Opal was an avid Boilermaker fan. She and Del were longtime Purdue football and basketball season ticket holders. Her passion for basketball never waned. Even during this past season, Opal could be found at game time excitedly cheering on her beloved Boilers along with trying to catch as many other Big 10 games as she could. Her loved ones will greatly miss rehashing Purdue's victories and defeats with her and will think of her every time her Boilermakers play.
Survivors include her children, David (Rebecca) Felix and Carol (Jeffrey) Wothke, both of Indianapolis; grandchildren Nathan, Benjamin (Allison Caldwell), and Katie Felix and Brian, Kyle, and Scott Wothke; great-grandchildren August and Flora Felix. She is also survived by sister-in-law, Beverly Mabis, and brothers-in-law, Roger Meyers and Fern Walters along with many nephews and nieces and close friends, John Burkle and Jan Cortner. In addition to her husband and parents, Opal was preceded in death by sisters, Helen Harshbarger and Barbara Gable, and brothers, Orville and Maurice Metzger.
The family extends its heartfelt appreciation to Opal's devoted neighbor, Steve Schultz, for his invaluable assistance throughout the years and to the staff at Creasy Springs Health Campus for their attentive care during the past four years. The family is also deeply grateful to Pastor Steve Crain for his faithful and compassionate ministry to Opal.
Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. on October 1, 2025 at Hippensteel Funeral Service and Crematory, 822 N 9th Street, Lafayette. The funeral service is at 11:00 a.m. on October 2 at the Lafayette Church of the Brethren, 1107 South 18th Street with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Tippecanoe Memory Gardens. The service will also be livestreamed on the
church's YouTube channel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lafayette Church of the Brethren.