Jun 13, 2021

Donna Oplinger, 71, passed away May 30, 2021, at Mercy Hospital in Canton, Ohio, after a brief illness.

Donna was born November 27, 1949, in Waynesburg, to Julius and Bena Juliani Branisel. She was a 1967 graduate of Carmichael Area High School and attended cosmetology school immediately following graduation.

On September 26, 1970, she married Leslie C. Oplinger. They shared 41 years of marriage before he preceded her in death in February 2012. They spent their lives residing in the Carmichaels area for most of their marriage, then relocated to New Philadelphia, Ohio upon Leslie’s retirement.

Donna enjoyed many years of doing hair for family, friends and neighbors, operating a salon in her home for a time. She enjoyed sewing and quilting, making clothes and dolls for her three daughters when they were little, and making and gifting quilts in her later years. She and Leslie enjoyed road trips to such interesting places as Williamsburg, Va., Pigeon Forge, Tenn. and Savannah, Ga., among many others.

Donna was a dedicated woman of faith and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on April 1, 1981. She was originally a member of the Carmichaels congregation and, more recently, the New Philadelphia, Ohio congregation. One of her favorite scriptures, Rev 21:4, relays the comforting prophecy, “he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more.” This brought Donna particular solace in the years following Leslie’s death. Wanting to share it with others, she framed and displayed that scripture to bring hope during the Covid pandemic.

Donna will be greatly missed by her daughters, Kimberly (Jud) Hipps of Jasper, Ga., Jeanine (Ben) Stillion of New Philadelphia, Ohio and Heather Oplinger of Canton, Ohio; beloved grandchildren, Grant Hipps of Jasper, Ga., Carley (Ean) Welin of Cumming, Ga. and Spencer Stillion of New Philadelphia, Ohio; sisters, Janie (“Hank”) Kowalewski of Marengo, Ohio and Darlene (“Butch”) Micozzi of Carmichaels; as well as several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held via Zoom at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, June 20.

Condolences and special memories can be shared with the family at www.heritagecremationsociety.com