Opal Marie (Graves) Bufford-Graves

Opal Marie Bufford- Graves, age 78 of Mishawaka, passed away in her home surrounded by her family June 21, 2022. Opal was born November 24, 1943, to the late Lowell and Odessa (Rice) Graves. Opal’s dad passed when she was young, but she was loved and raised by her adoptive father Gustave “Gus” Contat. On April 14, 1995, she married Amos Bufford.

Opal’s memory lives on in her children Kristina “Teana” (Rod) Filson, Micah (Amanda) Bufford, and Megahn (Joe) Lewis, her adopted son Brandon (Stephanie Campbell) Chaffee, her daughter in law Jennifer Geiselman-Collard, her grandchildren, Josh (Shellie) Filson, Tabatha (Phil) Evans, and Jared Filson and her nine great grandchildren; Ariah, Joe, Peyton, Maci, Alivia, Elijah, Sophia, Gus, and Lennon.  Surviving as well are many “adopted” children and grandchildren whose lives she touched in many ways as well.   Opal is reunited with those who preceded her in death; her husband Amos Bufford, her son Gus Geiselman, and her siblings Minor Graves, Jim Graves, Edna Anspaugh, Beverly Woodruff, and Lawrence Contat.

Visitation will be held from 4-6 pm Thursday, June 30, 2022, at Cruz Family Funeral Home in Osceola.   A celebration of Opal’s life will follow at 6pm.

Opal was a mother and friend to all. She enjoyed her time spent immersed in the community nearly as much as time with her family. She spent forty-five years working as a nurse, and she coordinated the wardrobe room and character training at the “Fear Itself” attraction at Legend Park for ten years.  Following 9-11, Opal felt the need to establish a national organization named “Grandparents as Parents” to give grandparents similar rights as parents when grandparents must act as parents. She also co-founded “Grandfamilies of America,” a similar organization to help those in need and “Wicked Jester Entertainment” a nonprofit organization which raises money for charities through various “zombie walks” and other activities throughout the area.   Opal was also a member of the Vineyard Church in Mishawaka and served as the past President of the Indiana PTA, and the Southwest Little League for many years.

She was a loving woman devoted to all, family, friends, patients, and strangers alike. In her memory, donations may be made to the Center for Hospice, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, Indiana 46545. To light a virtual candle, share a story of Opal’s  life, or leave a message of comfort for her family, please follow the links provided on the tribute wall tab above.