Fred Opich

Fred Opich, 89, a lifelong Battle Creek, Michigan resident, was reunited with his wife Kay, in Heaven on Monday, July 15, 2024. 

Fred was born September 14, 1934, in Battle Creek, Michigan to Eli and Sophie (Durakovic) Opich. His parents died at a very young age and he was raised and spoiled by his oldest sister, Sadie. He graduated from Battle Creek Central High School and honorably served in the U.S. Army with the Military Police. Fred worked briefly for the Kellogg Company. Then he was employed for many years as a printer for Gage Printing Company, until retiring. After his retirement, Fred was employed by HUB Insurance Company. 

The first time Fred saw Kay as a Southeastern Junior High Student, he hoped she would be his wife. Fred said, “The best day of his life was June 27, 1954,” when Kay Joy Mosher and Fred Opich were united in marriage at Central Christian Church. Fred was preceded in death by his bride, Kay on May 10, 2024. Surviving are their two daughters, Laurie Hill and Lisa Opich/Eason (Richard) all of Battle Creek; three grandchildren, Trevor (Kelsey) Eason, Mitchell (Tess) Hill, Pierce Eason; five great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife, Kay, Fred was also preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, Sadie Hoag, Mary Williamson, Annie Crane, Stella Goodacre; a brother, Joe Opich and a son-in-law. 

As a kid, Fred would walk the RR tracks looking for coal. He enjoyed going to the movies and always had lots of friends. His wife, Kay picked up where his sister left off and spoiled him for the rest of his life. Fred loved teasing everyone, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He teased the neighborhood children and entertained them with games, hiding quarters in the yard, with fireworks and bottle rockets on the Fourth of July and wearing a mask to scare the kids and hand out candy on Halloween. He was an avid golfer, bowled in the leagues at the former Nottke’s Bowl and swam in the Goguac Lake Swim for many years. He enjoyed watching sports and old war movies. Fred will be remembered as a great fiend to many people and loved his family. 

Friends will be received 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, July 25, 2024, at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care, where a service to celebrate Fred’s life will be held 11:30 a.m. Friday, July 26, 2024. The service will be livestreamed and may be viewed at: https://vimeo.com/990601953. Military honors, committal and interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. 

The family has created a beautiful slideshow of memories and it may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/990614010.