Ople Schmitz, 79, of Centralia passed away Thursday, June 13, 2024, at her home. She was born on October 20, 1944, the daughter of Harold and Fern (Kretzer) Groff in Centralia. She married Ronald Lewis Schmitz on June 1, 1974, in Centralia and he preceded her in death on June 28, 2014.
Survivors include her son, Ralph Dean Jones Sr. and Stacey Waddell of Centralia; grandchildren, Ralph Jones Jr., Thomas Jones and Phylicia, and Jeffrey Jones; step-grandchildren, Jonathan Waddell, Nicole Unsell, and wife Tiffany; 4 great-grandchildren; her brother, David Groff and wife; special niece, Malissa Benjamin; great-niece, Makylie Benjamin; and many nieces, nephews, special cousins, and loyal friends.
Along with her husband of 39 years, Ronald Schmitz, Ople was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Fern Groff; sisters, Lettle Benjamin, and Monzela Dane; brother, Ray Groff Jr.; and infant son, George Albert Jr.
Ople was a warm caring soul who shared many a smile with grateful customers while working at Wal-Mart in Centralia for 20 years. She was a lady of faith and a member of the First Church of God. Ople shared her love of Jesus with her grandsons, faithfully picking them up every Sunday to take them to church with her. Looking back, her grandsons were so very appreciative of this special time spent with their Granny. Ople found great happiness in watching her grandchildren grow into compassionate adults and then was overjoyed to do the same with her great-grandchildren. Ople was the rock of her family, instilling the importance of being there for one another and was always willing to give of herself to make another person’s day. Ople was a huge animal lover, who loved to spoil her beloved shelter dogs, and her son’s and grandsons’ rabbits, and dogs who got a bite of food every time she took a bite herself. She kept everyone entertained with her sassy, witty attitude and sense of humor. Her kindness will be honored through the actions of her family and friends, as they carry on her legacy of love and grace.
A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at the Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia with Pastor Scott Mattingly officiating. Interment will follow at the Peaceful Valley Cemetery in Odin. Friends and relatives are welcome to a visitation time from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the funeral home on Wednesday. Memorials may be made in Ople’s honor to Irvin Macz Funeral Home, donations accepted on the donations tab found on the funeral home’s website. Online condolences and memories of Ople may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page. Irvin Macz Funeral Home is privileged to be assisting the family of Ople Schmitz with arrangements.
