Mrs. Opal M. (Ketenbrink) Coates, age 89, of Vevay, Indiana, entered this life on May 31, 1934 at home in Bear Branch, Indiana. She was the loving daughter of the late William F. and Dorothy Marie (Dickason) Ketenbrink. Opal resided in the Switzerland County and Ohio County communities all of her life and was a 1952 graduate of Dillsboro High School. Opal was employed as a molder for the U.S. Shoe Factory in Vevay, Indiana for 5 years, where she met the love of her life, Robert C. “Bob” Coates. Opal was united into marriage on June 25, 1954 to Bob in Vevay, Indiana. This happy union of nearly 47 years was blessed with five children, Donna, Bob, Bill, Debbie and Carol. Opal was later employed as a teacher aide at the Jeff-Craig Elementary School, retiring after 21 1/2 years of service. She was a faithful member of the Switzerland Baptist Church in Vevay, Indiana, where she helped with many funeral dinners and was a door greeter. Opal was a wonderful homemaker and helped her husband on the family farm for many years. Family was everything to Opal and she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Opal also enjoyed reading in her spare-time and attending her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events. Opal was a devoted wife, mom, grandma and sister. Opal passed away with her loving family by her side and went to be with Jesus on Saturday, December 23, 2023, at her residence in Vevay, Indiana.
Opal will be lovingly remembered by her sons, Robert “Bob” Coates and his wife, Rita of Seymour, IN and Bill Coates and his wife, Cecile of Columbus, IN; her daughters, Debbie Reagan and her husband, Doug of Vevay, IN and Carol Smith and her husband, Keith of Vevay, IN; her son in law, Randy Turner of Vevay, IN; her grandchildren, Robin (Robert) Howell, Amy (Kyle) Stephens, Katie (Brian) Dill, Kristin Campbell, Kyle (Holly) Coates, Cecilia Hiatt, Anthony “Tony” Ogawa, Mike Scott, Melissa (Randy) McGladrie, Paul (Jil) Reagan, Josh (Laura) Reagan, Justin (Chelsea) Reagan, Hayley South, Mishayla South, Austin South, Zayne Smith and Elijah Smith; her great-grandchildren, Landen, Devin, Caden, Delanie, Bryson, Ellie, Harper, Connor, Nolan, Sophie, Max, Grady, Cooper, Colton, Blake, Lauren, Brady, Tanner, Kyle, Ryan, Hannah, Kyler, Camden, Kade, Madi, Easton and Noah; her great-great-grandchildren, Eli, Colton and Jayde; her sister, Helen Levell of Vevay, IN; her brother, Earl (Sharon) Ketenbrink of Rising Sun, IN; her sister-in-law, Donna Ketenbrink of Bear Branch, IN and her several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William F. and Dorothy Marie (Dickason) Ketenbrink; her husband, Robert C. “Bob” Coates, died March 24, 2001; her daughter, Donna Marie Turner, died January 28, 2012; her brothers, Paul and Roy Ketenbrink and her sister, Vera Cutter.
Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Thursday, December 28, 2023, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, December 28, 2023, by Pastor Mike Sawalich, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Interment will follow in the Vevay Cemetery, Vevay, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Spina Bifida Association or American Diabetes Association. Cards are available at the funeral home or online at www.haskellandmorrison.com