Opal B. Bethel, 95, died June 30 at Cherry Village Nursing Home, Great Bend. She was born July 9, 1918 at Ellinwood, the daughter of Francis Perry and Ida Leota (McCullough) Bryant.
She married Luther Franklin Bethel Jan. 22, 1935 at St. John.  He died Oct. 6, 1992. She was a homemaker and a Great Bend resident most of her life.
She was a member of First Church of God, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #646 Auxiliary, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3111 Auxiliary
She is survived by two sons: Gerald D. Bethel of Great Bend and Jimmy Ray Bethel of Otis, Colo.; sixteen grandchildren: Bobby Glen Starr, Kevin Bethel, Lance Bethel, Jamie Simper, Dale Michaelis, Michael D. Michaelis, Billy Joe Michaelis, Patricia Joan Durfey, Dianna Disque, Debra Bethel, Jay Bethel, Raymond Bethel, Randy Bethel, Robin Bethel, Ron Bethel, and Ruby Alloway; 38 great-grandchildren; and 13 Great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one son, Wylie Lee Bethel; one daughter, Roberta Joan Michaelis; two brothers, Walter Bryant and Wilbur Bryant; and one sister, Ida Pauline Bryant.
The funeral service is at 10 a.m. Saturday at Bryant Funeral Home with Pastor Don Paden officiating. Interment is at Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend.
Visitation is from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday, July 4, 2014 at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home*    
1425 Patton Road    
Great Bend, KS 67530
 Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, July 2, 2014