Mary Lou (Opel) Emmel

Mrs. Mary Lou (Opel) Emmel, age 94 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away on Sunday, April 25, 2021, at Valley Park Residential Care. Mary Lou was born on August 22, 1926, in Jefferson City. She was a daughter of Louis Carl and Mary Catherine (Clad) Opel. Mary Lou was married on November 18, 1950 in Linn, Mo. to Ralph F. Emmel, who preceded her in death on September 28, 1991. Mary Lou attended Immaculate Conception School and was a 1943 graduate of St. Peter's High School. For over 40 years, Mary Lou attended the Central United Church of Christ and was a member of the Eleventh Circle. She was active with her children and grandchildren in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Brownies, and Girl Scouts. Mary Lou was employed at International Shoe Factory, JCPenney, and the Mo. Department of Revenue. She retired from the Department of Revenue in 1991. Survivors include: son, Thomas Clark Emmel (Phyllis) of Jefferson City; daughters, Connie Lucille Pack (Richard) and Janet Lynn Melloway (Robert), both of Jefferson City; niece, Jacqueline Kay Schaefer Holtel of Kansas City, Mo.; grandchildren, Tim Emmel (Jennifer), Brendan Emmel, Kristen Rockers (Robert), Katie Struttman, Molly Crenshaw (David), Elizabeth Holtel, and Julia Cuccia (Sal); and great-grandchildren, Ruby and Andrew Rockers, Mason Struttman, William Crenshaw, Guiliana, Dominic, and Salvatore Cuccia. She is also survived by a niece, Sharon Orr; and nephews, Rodney Orr, Richard Orr, and William Orr. Mary Lou was also preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Roy Orr; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Lucille and Russell Schaefer; and nephews, Robert Orr and James Orr. Visitation will be at Freeman Mortuary from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 29, 2021. A Celebration of Life will follow at 11:00 a.m. in the Freeman Chapel with the Reverend Dr. Steve Buchholz officiating. Private graveside services will be at Riverview Cemetery. A webcast of the funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Thursday for friends that are not able to attend by going to her memorial page on Freeman Mortuary's website. Friends may mail sympathy cards to the funeral home or leave condolences online to be given to her family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice Compassus. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com