Opal Lavonne Petry

Opal Lavonne Petry, 92, passed away peacefully early Saturday morning after a long life led with love, spunk and strength.

Born Jan. 5, 1933, to Luther and Alma Rucker in Reinersville, Ohio, Opal was the only girl in a farm home full of brothers she loved dearly. She built a career as a pharmacy technician, working at Mercy Hospital in Canton for 20 years before retiring from Thomas Hospital in Charleston, West Virginia.

Opal was fortunate to find true love twice in her lifetime. In 1952, she married Keith Pernell, and together they welcomed two sons. Their marriage was filled with love and devotion for 32 years, until Keith’s death in 1984. A few years later, Opal reconnected with her high school sweetheart, Jim Petry. They married in 1988 and shared 25 cherished years together before his death in 2013.

She is survived by her sons, Robert (Bonnie) Pernell and Gary Pernell; stepson, Daniel (Rosie) Petry; grandchildren, Traci (Ray) Nichols, Mike Pernell, Chelsea Pernell, Nathan Petry, Jimmy (Kayla) Petry and Sara (Dustin) Lutherbeck; and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Gene Rucker, William Dearnbarger, Ralph Rucker and Merle “Mike” Rucker; her daughter-in-law, Janey Williams; and granddaughter Ashley Guthrie.

Opal will be missed by all those who knew her and, in turn, loved her.

Friends and family may gather at North Industry Christian Church (425 45th St. SW, Canton, OH 44706) on Friday, August 29, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. A funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m., with Pastor Stephen Kimbrel officiating. Interment will take place at Sunset Hills Burial Park.

Arrangements are entrusted to Kreighbaum-Sanders Funeral Home, 4041 Cleveland Ave S, Canton, OH 44707. Family and friends may offer condolences and share memories at:

sandersfuneralhomes.com 

(330) 484-2525