Paula Jean VanOpdorp, 62, of Rock Island, passed away on Saturday, January 7, 2017, at UnityPoint Health-Trinity, Rock Island. A memorial service will be held this Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Milan. Visitation will begin at noon, two hours prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Milan.

Paula was born on September 22, 1954, in Geneseo, a daughter of Lawrence and Hannah (Lamb) Billiet. She married her high school sweetheart David VanOpdorp on August 11, 1973, in Atkinson. Paula worked as a teacher's aide at Rock Island High School for 30 years where she was known as "Mrs. V." She retired from teaching in July 2016. She loved cheering on the Chicago Cubs as well as her sons and grandsons at their baseball games.

Survivors include her husband, David; sons, Kirk (Amy) VanOpdorp, Bloomington, and Matthew VanOpdorp, Minneapolis, MN; grandsons, Ethan and Aaron VanOpdorp; siblings, Judy (Ken) Martens, Ann Arbor, MI, Mary Lou (Dale) Evans, Reno, NV, Dick Billiet, Prophetstown, and Al (Sharlene) Largo, FL.

Paula was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Jim Billiet. Online condolences may be left for the family at wheelanpressly.com