John
E.
Opfer Sr.

JOHN E. OPFER SR. was born in 1917 to John G. Opfer and Catherine "Katie" Opfer. His father had become a Camden police office before America entered World War I. His grandfather, also named John Opfer, had run a beer saloon at 423 North Front Street at the turn of the century, and by 1920 was working as a fireman at the Camden Municipal Hospital. By 1920 the family had moved around the corner to 423 North 2nd Street. By 1930 John G. Opfer was working as a detective for the Camden Police Department. The family still lived at 423 North 2nd Street, near the corner of 2nd and Pearl Streets, and would remain there into the 1950s.

John E. Opfer joined the Camden Police department on September 23, 1940. By 1947 John E. Opfer had married. Sadly, his father, John G. Opfer, had passed away by this time. The 1947 City Directory shows that he and his wife, the former Marie Welch, and his widowed mother still lived at 423 North 2nd Street. The Opfers moved to Williamstown NJ in 1960, where they lived out the rest of their years.

John E. Opfer served with the Camden Police Department into the 1980s. His wife, Marie Opfer, also served on the Camden Police Department during the 1960s. Marie Opfer died in May of 2006. John E. Opfer joined her on May 29, 2006.

Camden Courier-Post * December 4, 1940

Benjamin Dzick - Admiral Wilson Boulevard - North 3rd Street - Stanley Kierszniewski 
Wayne Zienynki - Jackson Street - North 20th Street - John Moffa - William Haines
Dr. Lee J. Hammett - David Hainesworth - John Opfer - Charles Voll - William Miller - Harry Grebowich 

Veterans Boxing Association Ring 6
11th Annual Banquet - April 20, 1959

 unknown, John E. Opfer Jr., unknown witness

Camden Courier-Post
September 26, 1964

Fern Street
West Street
John Opfer
Wallace Florence

Camden Courier-Post * May 31, 2006

OPFER, JOHN E., SR.
Age 89, of Williamstown, on Monday, May 29, 2006.
Mr. Opfer was born and lived in Camden before moving to Williamstown in 1960. John was a police officer for the City of Camden for over 40 years. He was a member of the South Jersey Beagle Club for many years. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Beloved husband of the late Marie (nee Welch). Devoted father of William (Sandra) Opfer, John (Sandra) Opfer, Jr. and Catherine (Robert) Jumpp. Loving grandfather of John III, Lisa, Katie, Brian, Derrick and Justin. Loving great-grandfather of Eric, Brandon, Alex and Ashlea.
Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing on Friday, June 2, 2006 from 10:00-11:00 AM at the BELL-HENNESSY FUNERAL HOME, 420 S. Main St., Williamstown. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM. Interment Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Williamstown. 
Condolences and memories may be shared online @ www.bell-hennessy.com

Camden Courier-Post * May 31, 2006

OPFER, MARIE L.
(Nee Welch), of Williamstown, on Thursday, May 19, 2005. Age 82 years. Mrs. Opfer was born and raised in Camden and has been a resident of Williamstown for 46 years.
Marie was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving in WWII. She was a former Camden Police Officer. She was a member of the Monroe Twp. Republican Club. She enjoyed casinos and shopping.
Beloved wife of John E. Opfer, Sr. Dear sister of the late Madeline M. Green. Loving aunt of Judy Russell, Karen Green, Jennifer Green and Jack R. Green.
Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing on Tuesday from 10:00-11:00 AM at the BELL-HENNESSY FUNERAL HOME, 420 South Main St., Williamstown.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Interment Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Williamstown.
Condolences and memories may be shared online @ www.bell-hennessy.com.