Darrell W. Opfer

1941 - 2024

Darrell W. Opfer

Darrell W. Opfer, 83 of Oak Harbor, OH died September 20, 2024 at Magruder Hospital, Port Clinton, OH following medical issues he had been battling for a number of years.

He was born June 17, 1941 in Genoa, OH to the late Milton and Iva (Gleckler) Opfer. He attended Elmore schools and graduated from Harris-Elmore High School in 1959. He then attended and graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1963 and completed his Masters Degree in African History there in 1965.

Immediately following college, he was a member of the first team of United States Peace Corps volunteers to Kenya, East Africa, taking training for the position at Columbia University in New York City. He served three years, teaching at the Njiris High School for boys and young men in the Aberdare Mountains, about fifty miles from the town of Thika. He taught all subjects offered for students ages 14-20 years old.

Following his return to the United States, Darrell began his career in education with a one-year position at Woodward High School in Toledo. He was then recruited by County School Superintendent Earl Johnson, to return to Ottawa County where he taught 14 years at Genoa High School. His subjects were focused in government, primarily in American and World History. While teaching he developed a high school course in Social Psychology. This introduced class participants to social services and a number of these students went on to seek careers in social work including special education, nursing homes, and in non-profit organizations. Several times he drove students to Washington DC to tour government buildings and to introduce them to lawmakers. He also regularly took students to New York City over Thanksgiving holiday to visit the City's attractions. His groups always had a prime spot to watch the Macy Parade.

Darrell was elected in 1984 as Ottawa County Commissioner, serving for eight years and focusing on the building of infrastructure projects such as public water lines. He was then elected four times as State Representative to the Ohio Legislature, representing Ottawa County and parts of Lucas and Erie Counties. While in the State House, he concentrated on agriculture and education issues and assiduously promoted the transfer of the Marblehead Lighthouse from Local to State authority. He was also instrumental in developing rules for electric deregulation in Ohio. Darrell took great pride in promoting good working relations between Republicans and Democrats, often crossing the aisle to work for needed local and state improvements. Darrell also served five years as Director of the Ottawa County Improvement Corporation. It is because of his service to local, state, and community governments that flags be lowered to "half-staff" in his memory until the time of his interment as ordered by the Ottawa County Commissioners.

Darrell was a lifelong member of Trinity United Church of Christ, Elliston, OH and was a proud member of one of the founding families of the Church, which was established in 1862. Another lifelong interest was the Democratic Party, of which he was actively involved in political activities all of his adult life. He was fascinated by local history and was a member of four local historic societies. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Camp Sabroske (a Christian Camp in Carroll Township, OH), and was deeply interested in matters of local and global conservation.

Darrell is survived by his sister Karen (Douglas) Lick of Oregon, OH; niece Kristen (Kevin) Haynes of Sylvania; their daughters, Lindsay Haynes (Jonathan Alsip) and Shelby Haynes; nephew, Dr. David (Dr. Keisha) Lick of Rochester Hills, MI and their daughters Kate and Grace Lick; and best friend of more than forty years, Virginia Park of Port Clinton.

Memorial Services for Darrell will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 6, 2024 at Trinity United Church of Christ, 17955 W. 3rd Street, Elliston, OH 43432, where family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 p.m. There will be a gathering at the Church following the Service. Burial will be in the family plot in Elliston Cemetery, and will be done privately by the family. Memorial contributions may be given to Trinity United Church of Christ. Online Condolences may be shared with the family at www.neideckercrosserpriesman.com.