May 17, 1951 – February 28, 2026
Linda Sue Bower, age 74, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 5:17 PM – Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Illinois.
Funeral services celebrating Linda’s life will be held at 11:00AM – Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois, with Brother Larry Matson, officiating. A visitation for family and friends will be held 1 hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the Bailey Cemetery west of Latona, Illinois. In loving memory of Linda, memorials may be given to the family. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com.
Linda was born on May 17, 1951, in Effingham, Illinois, the daughter of Charles Neil and Ruby L. (Shamhart) Woods.
Linda was a stay-at-home mom, taking great pride in raising her children. A caregiver at heart she cared for the elderly before her own health took a decline.
Linda was an avid Cubs Fan, spent time watching Lassie, Westerns, and loved food, especially Mexican and Dr. Pepper.
Her greatest joy came when her grandchildren would visit.
Linda is survived by-
Children: Barbara (Troy) Lingafelter of Newton, Illinois; Brenda (Don) Lee of Green Cove Springs, Florida; Bryan (Cyndi) Bower of Wheeler, Illinois; Brody Bower of Effingham, Illinois and Bethany Ruby Bower who has been missing since July 2021.
Grandchildren: Lindsey, Domanic, Kenton, Robby, Ky (Courtney), Henry, Casey, Skylee (Jordan), and Cheyenne (Levi)
Great grandchildren: Meeyah, Avyree, Zaden, Garrett, Keegan, Ella, Klark, Quinn, Matty, Jasilyn, Hayden, Eli, Jaxson
Sisters – Janis Funneman of Wheeler, Illinois; and Jean McWhorter of Muncie, Indiana
Brother-in-law – Ray Finn of Newton, Illinois
Several nieces and nephews as well as extend family also survive.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Brenda Jo Fagan and Sandy Lynn Finn, grandson Garrett Lee Lingafelter and great niece Hailey Elizabeth Funneman.
