Opal Cleo Crabtree

Opal Cleo Crabtree, 91, of Columbus, Ohio passed away peacefully in her sleep at 2:18 AM on Thursday, February 8, 2017 at Parkside Village Senior Living Community in Westerville, Ohio. She was born September 1, 1926 to Robert and Lena Wayne. She married Arthur Crabtree on June 14, 1945 shortly after he returned from having served four years of active duty in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. She is survived by son, Dan Crabtree (Kizzy), son, Mark Crabtree (Debi), son, Jay Crabtree (Barbara), daughter, Susan Blakely (David), and son, Joseph Crabtree. She is also survived by her sister, Norma Whitehouse (Marvin), sister, Donna Jackson (Frank), brother, Clifford Wayne (Joyce), brother, Jerry Wayne (Carole), six grandchildren, seven great grand-children, as well as many loving nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Crabtree, parents, Robert and Lena Wayne, sister, Virginia Zell Whitehouse and brother, Connie Mack Wayne.

Cleo was born in Crooksville, Ohio where she was co-valedictorian of her 1943 graduating class (with her cousin Ruth {Barker} Richards.) After growing up in Crooksville where she met her husband, Art, they lived in Bargersville, IN and had their first three children. Family was very important to Cleo, and soon afterward they moved back to Columbus, Ohio to be near their extended families, and had two more children there. She worked as a secretary for several insurance companies and retired from The Ohio State University in 1991. Cleo was an avid bridge player and earned the title of Life Master. She loved to play bridge, belonged to several bridge groups and competed in tournaments. She kept her mind sharp by solving daily cross-word puzzles and reading. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family and friends.

Family and friends will be received 11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Saturday, February 10, 2018 at GOEBEL FUNERAL HOME, 36 N. BUCKEYE ST., CROOKSVILLE. Funeral services and a celebration of Cleo's life will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday at the funeral home with Pastor Larry Taylor officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery, Roseville.

You may read the obituary, sign the Online Register Book (Memory Wall) and share a special memory with the family at www.goebelfuneralhome.com