Meredith Grace Opel
March 4, 1997 ~ November 24, 2017
Meredith Grace Opel, 20, Indianapolis, tragically passed away November 24, 2017. Meredith was born March 4, 1997, in Indianapolis, to Douglas and Julie (Bartram) Opel, who survive.
Meredith attended St. Mark Catholic Elementary School and graduated from Roncalli High School in 2015. She was a junior at the University of Southern Indiana, where she was studying as a Presidential Scholar. She was majoring in sociology and political science; Meredith was determined to make a difference in the world. She was a free spirit, joyful, adventurous, loyal, goal oriented, and inspiring. Meredith recently studied abroad and loved traveling to thirteen different countries in Europe, taking in as much as she possibly could. As a student at USI, she became active with campus outreach and greatly enjoyed being a part of the Orlando Project. Meredith will be fondly remembered by her loving family and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, David Bartram and her paternal grandmother, Donna (Morgan) Opel. Meredith’s sister, Mallory Elizabeth Opel, also tragically died on November 24, 2017.
Meredith’s family includes her loving parents, Doug and Julie Opel; siblings, Morgan and Bryce Opel; beloved niece, Camilla Rose; maternal grandmother, Janet Bartram; paternal grandparents, Ronald E. and Carol Opel; a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Friends and family will gather to celebrate the life of Meredith Grace Opel on Friday, December 1, 2017, 3 to 8 p.m., in the gymnasium at Roncalli High School. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Saturday, December 2, 2017, in the gymnasium at Roncalli. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Orlando Project, c/o Campus Outreach at the University of Southern Indiana or to Roncalli High School. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Daniel F. O’Riley Funeral Home. Visit www.ORileyFuneralHome.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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To the family, please accept my sincere condolences. May the God (Psalms 83:18) of all comfort, give you the comfort you need to endure this difficult time. Know that caring thoughts are with you (2 Corinthians 1:3,4)
Dear Family:
We, the families of The Compassionate Friends, send you our heartfelt condolences on Meredith’s passing.
The Compassionate Friends is an international grief support group for parents, grandparents and siblings who have suffered the heartbreaking loss of a child. Our only mission is to provide comfort, hope and support to every family experiencing the death of a son or daughter, brother or sister, or grandchild, and to help others better assist the grieving family.
We meet monthly on the first Tuesday at the First Baptist Church, 99 W. Main St, Greenwood, IN 46142 and on the third Thursday at the Epworth United Methodist, 6450 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46220.
If and when you are ready to do so, please join us for either, or both, meetings.
We Need Not Walk Alone. We are The Compassionate Friends.
The Compassionate Friends
Central Indiana Chapter
(317) 250-0351 (Jodie)
http://www.tcfcentralindiana.org
http://www.compassionatefriends.org
larry.gardner@tcfcentralindiana.org
Doug, Rhonda and family, I am heartbroken for all of you in the senseless loss of these two beautiful girls. I will pray that God brings comfort and strength to you during this difficult time.
Vicki Taylor
My deepest Sympathy to Doug, Julie and all the family. May God give you peace and comfort to help you through your losses. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Please call if I can help in any way.
Love and hugs,
Rosie Saylor
Meredith, my memories of you will always include a gym, a basketball, and your father or mother trying to wrangle all you Opels to the car! You will always be a child in my mind and reading about your life as a young adult before it was ripped away from you makes me angrier than words can describe. You were meant to bring so much needed change to our present culture and it was all taken away from you before you could even get started. It’s not fair and never will be But we would be doing you a grave dishonor if we didn’t keep on progressing forward in your name. I hope everyone who was ever in your presence lives life a bit more open, more tolerant, and more accepting of all Gods children.
Meredith. I have so many wonderful memories of you and my Shelby and others together – St Mark fun festivals, fundraisers, sports and especially your caring and bright way of shining during your birthday parties. You, Julie and others even sang happy birthday to me at your birthday swimming party at Decatur Central. You glowed with God’s love from within and you shared it gladly. I loved knowing you and being a small part of your life.
Hugs and prayers with you, your family and all the other friends that were blessed to have known you.
Sing and dance in heaven!
Love,
Peggy Bender and daughter Shelby Adrian
Julie..this is Liz Leslie…Betty Ann Bian’s daughter. Please know what a gift Meredith was and the sweet memories we have of her walking Nutmeg and Lucky. There are no words we can give you, but our hearts ache for you and your husband and your family. May your faith give you all strength and please know we are praying for all of you.
Doug , Julie, Janet and family. Our prayers and sympathies to you all. Love ya all.
The Beeson family.
Dear Doug and Julie: Words seem so inadequate and trivial in the face of your grief, but I want you to know. . . as the mother of two girls, I will strive to emulate the qualities you both have exhibited as incredible parents and grandparents to your children and granddaughter. I have shared your daughters, Morgan included, with mine in the hopes they, too, will emulate their accomplishments and contributions here on Earth, as well as their pure love for each other. My Shelby is contemplating the pursuit of an education at USI in either OT or nursing (it is her first choice). I cannot think of any place I’d rather she be. Perhaps following in Meredith’s footsteps, smiling and making an huge impact. God bless you and your family. I am keeping you close to my heart.
Missy (Hoffman) Hathaway
To the Opel family:
I am so sorry for what happened to both Meredith and Mallory. I was fortunate enough to meet Meredith at Summer Field Studies in 2014. I graduated in the same high school class as Meredith. We would exchange hellos and some small talk in the hallways. But my heart broke in two when I received the unfortunate news. My heart goes out to all who knew Meredith, especially to Meredith and Mallory’s parents. I consider all my high school classmates like a “second family”. Meredith, I will never forget your contiguous smile. You were a beautiful, kind, caring, and compassionate soul. And so was your sister, Mallory. Fly high, Meredith and Mallory. You are angels, never to be forgotten.
Love you both always,
Clair Strange
To Julie and family, please accept my sincere condolences. May the God (Psalms 83:18) of all comfort, give you the comfort you need to endure this difficult time. Know that caring thoughts are with you
Doug and Julie — The entire Giffin family is heartbroken for your loss. All we can offer is our love and our prayers. May God hold you and give you strength.
Iam very sorry for your loss such a waste a beautiful sisters lossing their lives like that my prayers and heart is with all of you
Mallory was one of the first people I meet at college our freshman year. She was full of life, with a beautiful spirit. Rest In Peace to these sweet girls. Praying for their family during this traumatic time. ߙϰߏ۰ߙϰߏ»
Psalms 117:2
For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord.
was lit in memory of Meredith Grace Opel
I will always remember you Meredith as the sweet little girl I met at the softball games who grew up to become a strong, loving vibrant woman. You were taken from your family way too early, but your love and faith will always remain in the hearts of everyone who knew you. Rest in peace Meredith, you will always be remembered and loved. Terri Silence
was lit in memory of Meredith Grace Opel
was lit in memory of Meredith Grace Opel
I am at a loss in this instance. My brother was a friend of Doug’s in high school. I followed Doug’s career while coaching near by. How this can be put into perspective is not within my ability. I have two beautiful daughters as does my brother. It is not possible for me to understand what this family is going through. I have looked at the wonderful family photos I could find and the one positive thing I can see is that this was a wonderful family with love in their hearts. God Bless all of you…I send my love to your family.
Roger D. Raymond
Words cannot begin to express my sorrow upon hearing of the tragic death of sweet Meredith Opel. I had the honor and pleasure of being one of her first semester instructors at USI as I had her in my Introduction to Public Speaking class. Meredith was a wonderful dedicated student who was a delight to have in class. Over the years I would see her on campus and we would briefly chat about this and that. She was always happy and smiling! I am blessed to have been her instructor and I hope that you all find peace at some point after the loss of not only Meredith but your other precious daughter. After losing a child myself, I can only imagine what you are going through. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Lisa Beutler Jones, USI Instructor
Sending Love and Prayers to the entire Opel Family!! Pat Sells
Meredith reached out to my daughter, Kimberly, who is a freshman at USI. She just began August of 2017. Meredith spend time talking to her and invited her to church. Just a week or two ago, she saw Kimberly and told her they needed to have lunch together. As a mom you know what this meant to me. I was in awe of this girl’s apparent wisdom, insight, and spiritual understanding. I am so sorry for your loss. As a nurse might I recommend for later, a website: http://www.TearSoup.com. It is the last thing you want to do right now, but ….later. I have found it so useful in my life’s struggles and grief. I would never say I know how you feel, but I care deeply. None of us are promised tomorrow but it is so hard to accept what life has handed you. Kimberly loved Meredith. Meredith’s life will make and has made an impact on my daughter’s life. God Bless You All, Kathy England, Vincennes IN
So Sorry to hear about your beautiful girls… God give you all the strength you need during these difficult days. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
For those of us that were lucky enough to be around Doug in High School know it was a special privilege. His classmates adored him just like the teachers and those of us that were his friend and played sports with him. Doug cared about all of us and was there for us when we needed him. It was never an easy thing to live up to Doug’s accomplishments,. Doug made us all want to be the best we could be because we knew he be at his best. So for something like this to happen there are just no words adequate to even try to say the way we all feel. Just know Doug and the whole Opel family that we are all there for all of you. I am praying for you and your whole family. We love you Op.
I just cannot stop thinking about Morgan. I worked with Morgan a little while and fell in love with her sweet spirit! All I can think about is all of the stories she would tell about her amazing sisters! It was no secret just how much she adored both of them. She was definitely a family person! I was so excited to have the pleasure of meeting sweet Meredith! Lots of prayers and Love to Morgan and all of the family and friends! I lost my sister 12-26-97 and I was completely devastated! I just cannot imagine losing two! So so very sorry for your loss!!! I Love YOU, Morgan!!!
Sincerest of condolences for the loss of these two beautiful souls. I have never had the honor of meeting anyone involved but the story has touched me in a deep way. Prayers to all family and friends. May the caring of others bring some peace and solace. God Bless
Again,please accept our sincere sympathy.
E Neil & Esther Cooper,Prince’s Lakes
So very sad for your entire family and community. I lost my sister through violence years ago, so I understand and respect your heavy grief. May God hold you close to His heart, and may you feel comfort in His everlasting love.
Mary-Catherine McGinley Skripsky
I was lucky enough to know Doug and Play HS sports with him. The team pulled from his drive and willingness to compete at the highest level. There are no words but know that I’m thinking and praying for your whole family. Know that if you need anything, I’m here and just reach out and let me know. Let the strength you’ve always processed come through in this time of need.
Be strong my friend;
Don France
You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
The Corbin’s (Doug, Lois, Kelli, and Clinton)
was lit in memory of Meredith Grace Opel
Remembering Meridith as an outstanding young adult. She will be remembered fondly by all who knew her. I can still see her running around the gym with Bryce at BD when she was little. Condolences, love & caring thoughts to Doug, Julie, Morgan & Bryce and to all.
Praying for this family, only God can heal & comfort this greatest of all lossesߙ He knows every tear that falls & loves y’all ߙ
Our most sincere condolences to all of the Opel family.
Our son Rance was classmates with Meredith at St.Mark, many years of memories.
The Kleiber family
Rance Jr & Holly
Rance III, Jozelyn, Shelby & Malary
To the family,
My heart goes out to you on the loss of both your precious daughters. May you find the need comfort from family, friends and especially God during this very difficult time. Losing someone that is so precious to your life is very hard, but please know that God is there ans he knows all your pain. (Psalm 34:18) Continue to remain strong and rely upon him during those difficult days ahead. (Isaiah 41:10, 13)
To Doug and Julie so sorry for your loss of both daughters words can not express how heartbroken i am for your family my god look over all of you at this time and always you all are in my prayers. From David and Laura Joseph
Doug my thoughts and prayers are always with you and your family ߙϰߏ»God bless you guys
Love the Wimsatt family
Dear Doug,
The Lord will open the gates of paradise and they will return to that homeland where there is not death but only lasting joy. Grant Mallory and Meredith eternal rest O Lord, and allow them to share in your heavenly glory. Precious Lord, take their hand and lead them home.
On behalf of the Cahill family, we extend our condolences to the entire Bartram/Opel family at this time and remember them in our prayers in the days ahead.
Love, peace and prayers,
Mike Cahill
Dear Doug and Julie,
Have been praying for you and your daughters all this time and will continue to do so for eternity.
May the hope of our Risen Savior during this Easter season bring you both consolation and peace.
With much love and prayers,
John Herbertz R ’81, Mary, Grace 22, Gabriella 20, Lydia 16, Mateo 12, and St. Regina (now 17).
Duluth, MN