Albert Louis Oppelt, of Devine, passed away on September 8, 2021 at the age of 85. He was born November 3, 1935 in Medina County, Texas to William Joseph Oppelt, Sr. and Maude Caroline Newman Oppelt.
Albert attended Shook School, a two-room schoolhouse located six miles northwest Devine, either walking or riding a horse to school. He graduated from Devine High School in 1953. Five years later, Albert was inducted into the Army on November 18, 1958. He was granted a hardship discharge to return home and take care of his father who was hospitalized, and his mother, who had also become ill, and the family farm. Because of his mother’s illness, she could no longer take care of herself or the farm. The Army granted him early leave and he was honorably discharged after serving fourteen months. He was then transferred to the United States Army Reserves VIII.
On November 30, 1963, Albert married Elizabeth C. Dugosh at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Bandera, Texas. Their marriage was blessed with fifty-seven years of marriage and two sons.
Albert was a farmer, rancher, and sheet metal worker. He was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church, the Sheet Metal Workers Union #67, Quihi Gun Club, as well as a former Devine ISD school board member. For twenty years, he volunteered at the St. Joseph Catholic Church Festival cooking beans. Albert was also an honorary member of the Devine FFA Chapter.
Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Oppelt of Devine; sons and daughters-in-law, John and Laurie Oppelt of Castroville, and Thomas and Margaret Oppelt of Devine; grandson, Henry Louis Oppelt; step grandson, Ray Swyers; sister-in-law, Laurel D’Orsogna and her husband Al of La Coste; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Albert was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Milton, William Joseph Jr., Eugene, and James Anthony Oppelt; sisters, Caroline Wilhelmina Hall, Virginia Schleicher, and Laura Matilda Oppelt.
Visitation will be Tuesday, September 14, 2021 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home.The Holy Rosary will be recited on Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Louis Catholic Church followed by the Mass of the Resurrection at 10:00 am. Interment will be at St. Louis Catholic Cemetery in Castroville with military honors.
The family requests masks be worn by all attending.
Memorials may be made in Albert’s memory to the Devine Livestock Booster Club or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home.