Leslie Carl Oplinger

Leslie C. Oplinger, age 66, of New Philadelphia died suddenly Thursday February 23, 2012, while helping others; a trait for which he was well recognized.

Known by a number of names, Les to his friends and family, Opie to his co-workers, or Pap-Pap to his beloved grandchildren, he was born at Waynesburg, Pennsylvania on February 14, 1946, a son of the late Earl and Virginia (Fike) Oplinger.

Les was a 1966 graduate of Jefferson-Morgan High School at Jefferson, Pennsylvania. Once out of school, he began working for General Electric at Cleveland and also joined the United States Army Reserve.

On September 26, 1970, Les married the love of his life, the former Donna Branisel. As a couple they reared three children and shared a deep love for one another. Les enjoyed caring for Donna and being by her side for the past 41 years of marriage.

In 1977, Les began a 13 year career with the Gateway Coal Company at Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. This career choice made him the third generation of his family to work in a coal mine and was proud of the fact he shared this occupation with his father and grandfather. In 1992, Les began working for the Foundation Coal Company, Emerald Mine until his retirement in 2008.

Upon his retirement, he and Donna relocated to the Tuscarawas Valley to be close to family. Not one to sit still, Les embarked on a new journey and began working as a driver for the Society for Equal Access. He enjoyed being able to help others and took his job very seriously making sure that each client was at their scheduled destination on time.

Les was an avid golfer who also enjoyed being a spectator of the sport, having had the opportunity to attend the Master’s Tournament twice. He found great joy in taking his grandchildren golfing or fishing which usually ended in an adventure for ice cream. Recently he had taken on the challenge of learning the guitar and was proud of his collection of mining memorabilia and equipment.

In addition to his wife, Les will be missed by his three daughters, Kimberly (Judson) Hipps of Jasper, Georgia, Jeanine (Ben) Stillion of New Philadelphia and Heather Oplinger of Canton; three beloved grandchildren, Grant and Carley Hipps and Spencer Stillion.

Completing the family are a brother, Charles “Sonny” Oplinger of Jefferson, Ohio and numerous nieces and nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Les was preceded in death by a sister, Linda Noska.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 26, 2012, from 2:00 – 4:00 PM in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover where Mr. Gary Gontero will lead a celebration of Les’ life at 4PM. Following the service, the family wishes to invite guests to join them for a reception in the Hospitality Room of the Dover Funeral Center.

Memorial contributions in Les’ name may be directed to the Society for Equal Access, 1458 Fifth Street NW, New Philadelphia, Ohio, 44663.