Charlotte (Char) Fay Opperman

Charlotte Fay (Burleson) Opperman October 17th, 1952 – January 15th, 2024

Charlotte Fay (Burleson) Opperman, of Tombstone, Arizona, passed away January 15th, 2024, at the age of 71. Charlotte, better known as Char, was born October 17th, 1952, in Loves Park, Illinois to Hershel Sr. and Velma (Niswonger) Burleson.

Char was a fighter. She fought breast cancer and won twice. Once after being diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 1997 then again in 2013. As if she didn’t undergo enough chemotherapy and radiation treatments, in 2022 she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. However; in true Char fighting fashion, she was also able to overcome this. Then in 2023, doctors discovered a few cancerous spots in her lungs. While fighting off cancer, Char developed an infection that ultimately resulted in her death.

Char lived a full life of fun and happiness. She met her lifelong partner, Karl Opperman in the summer of 1968 while working at Kiddie Land, a children’s amusement park. Karl and Char were married on June 5th, 1971, and have remained happily married for 52 years. Together they have two very active boys, Kirk, and Craig.

Through the years, Char worked as a salesclerk and store manager at a variety of retails stores. Karl and Char owned and operated their own hobby store in Roscoe, IL for a few years. Char also served as an administrative assistant at Regional Learning Center in Loves Park, IL.

On April 1st, 2000, Karl and Char started a new chapter in their lives when they moved to Tombstone, Arizonia. They have always said that was their “April fool’s joke on Tombstone”. Both Karl and Char quickly became active within the community of Tombstone. They joined the Tombstone Vigilantes in 2001 where Char served as treasurer from 2003–2011. They became Lifetime Tombstone Vigilantes members in November 2011. In 2001, they also joined Helldorado, Inc, where Char oversaw the selecting of Miss Helldorado each year. Char proudly served as First Lady alongside Karl during his term as Helldorado’s president from 2009-2010.

Char leaves behind her husband, Karl Opperman of Tombstone, AZ; her sons, Kirk Opperman, of Tombstone, AZ and Craig (Angela) Opperman, of McAlester, OK; grandchildren, Korryn Opperman, Dakoda Mitchell, Dadriana Opperman, and Colt Opperman; one great-grandchild, Jameson Gehrke; brother, Terry Burleson; and numerous nieces and nephews. Char was preceded in death by her parents, Hershel Sr., and Velma (Niswonger) Burleson; her brothers, Ronnie Niswonger, and Hershel Burleson Jr.

Memorial Services will be held at the Tombstone Vigilante Hall on Saturday, March 9th, 2024, at 1:00PM located at 22 East Allen Street, Tombstone, AZ 85638.

Memorial funds may be sent to the Tombstone Vigilantes in Char’s honor.

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