Obituary of Ruth M. Vopelak

Oneida-Ruth M. Vopelak, passed away in the Oneida Health Center on Easter afternoon, April 20, 2025 at the age of 96. She was born on March 12, 1929 in Brooklyn, New York a daughter of the late Jerome W. and Ruth M. (Dellamore) Boyle. Ruth was a graduate of Grover Cleveland High School and Queens College. On March 31, 1951 in St. Andrew Avellino Roman Catholic Church, Ruth and Robert F. Vopelak were united in marriage and shared that vow of over fifty years together until Robert's death on October 30, 2001. Prior to her retirement Ruth was employed as a shoe saleswoman with Gertz Department Store, Stern's Department Store and MACY'S in Hicksville, NY. Ruth volunteered for Care Net and the sewing club for breast cancer. She brailed books for children and brailed for the blind. Ruth was a missionary along with her husband Robert for the R. Kelly Brake Ministries and the couple traveled to Ecuador and traveled to India where Ruth helped build a woman's home and the home was later named in Ruth's memory. In her spare times she enjoyed swimming and exercising at the YMCA. She was a member of the Abounding Love Church of Durhamville. Surviving is her one daughter, Carolyn (Roy) Peters of Verona, two sons, Robert Vopelak of Pleasantville, NY, and Thomas W. (Patricia) Vopelak of Middletown, CT., eight grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, a sister, Geraldine Marshall of San Diego, CA and several nieces, nephews, great-nephews and great-nieces. She was predeceased by her husband Robert F. Vopelak, brother Jerome Boyle and sister Carolanne (Kane) Cruz. Family and friends are invited to call on Thursday, April 24, 2025 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.at the Malecki Funeral Home, 23 Front Street, Vernon, NY. A funeral service will immediately follow at 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Dr. Jack Fucci officiating. Burial will be in Calverton National Cemetery, Wading River, NY. Online condolences may be sent to maleckifuneralhome.com