James William Opferman, 81, longtime Fort Gratiot resident, died February 28, 2023.
He was born June 27, 1941 in Detroit to the late James Sebastian and Elizabeth B. (Little) Opferman. Jim was baptized July 11, 1941 and confirmed in June 1951. He graduated from Shrine High School of Royal Oak in 1959, Sacred Heart College Seminary in 1964, St. John’s Major Seminary in 1968 and Michigan State University with a masters in Clinical Social Work in 1989.
He married his beloved wife of 42 years and best friend, Starrla on June 14, 1980.
Jim’s ministry to the church and community included serving as an associate pastor, Mercy Hospital chaplain, and hospice consultant. For over 15 years he worked in mental health as a Clinical Social Worker. In his younger years, he was blessed to serve the Lord as a Catholic, and for the past three decades he was a committed deacon and elder at First Presbyterian Church, Port Huron.
Jim and Starrla raised two wonderful sons, Christopher (Gretchen) Madden of Grand Rapids, and Andrew (Terrah) Opferman of Beverly Hills, Michigan; He was blessed to know and be close to his grandchildren, Maya and Garrett Madden, Scarlett and Eloise Opferman; three sisters-in-law, Bonnie Thompson, Brenda Olsen, and Pat Stanton; many nieces and nephews; and longtime childhood friend Charna (Joel) Wellen. Rediscovering his dear cousin from long ago, Marilyn Opferman of Bethel Park, PA was a great joy in his life. He was preceded in death by his sister Mary Jo Sights.
The family will receive friends from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, March 5, 2023 at Pollock-Randall Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 6, 2023 in First Presbyterian Church. The Reverend Roxie Davis will officiate with a luncheon to follow.
Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider First Presbyterian Church mission committee, Sacred Heart Major Seminary of Detroit, or Heifer Project International.
To send condolences, visit pollockrandall.com.
“For it is in dying, that we are born to eternal life” . . . St. Francis of Assisi.
