By Doug Spencer
Posted: Updated:
9 Comments
  • Visitation

    Wednesday December 21, 2022

    4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

    Little Prairie Christian Church, Albion, IL

  • Service

    Thursday December 22, 2022

    10:00 a.m.

    Little Prairie Christian Church, Albion, IL

  • Full Obituary

    Linda Marie Johnson Duncan regained her dancing feet on December 17, 2022, at 2:13 am surrounded at home by her loving husband Larry and three daughters.

    Linda was born on April 9, 1953, in Terre Haute, Indiana to Howard and Imo Johnson as the third child of seven.  She is survived by all of her siblings: Randy (Karen) Johnson, Martin (Mary Ruth) Johnson, Mary (Lin) Weaver, David (Tanna) Johnson, Patti (Bobby, deceased) Murphy, and Gloria (Kent) Waller.

    Linda’s childhood memories included hard work on a dairy farm, various antics with her siblings, and moving back and forth from Illinois to Arizona. She most fondly recalled her time in Arizona with church friends and family picnics.

    While Linda lived in Illinois, she met her husband Larry who says he knew she would be his girl when he first saw her.  Their first dates entailed memories from the Edwards County Fair and football at the Mount Carmel Snakepit.  Larry and Linda married in Springerville, AZ on June 13, 1971, after a three-year courtship and returned to Illinois to begin their married life together.

    Larry and Linda were blessed with three daughters: Francie (Bob) Ellis, Jackie (Brian) Free, and Lesa (Daniel) Shilling.  Life with their daughters was filled with volleyball, strawberry picking, camping, and numerous church events.

    Linda always claimed she was the jack of all trades and master of none.  From playground supervisor to bus driver to school cook, Mrs. D loved working for the Grayville school system so that she could be near her daughters.  VBS at Grayville First Christian Church was also one of her favorite times each year because she not only got to spend time with her girls, but she also got to have a great impact in the lives of other youth.  Linda truly loved God and wanted to teach others how to work hard, be respectful, and love God with all your heart.  She always told her girls that if they had time to go to sport camps, they had time for church camp, another reminder that God was a central focus in her life.  Linda also loved her nieces and nephews and went out of her way to spend time with them.  The people who knew her remember her kindness, how she put others before herself, and how she maintained her faith even as life threw numerous hardships her way.

    Linda had a gift for sending cards; she had a deep love for flowers, birds, and garden flags; her younger years were filled with music and dancing. She also enjoyed playing cards with her siblings and their families, camping trips, out-of-the-blue picnics, truck-honking and duck-feeding with the grandkids, and going to yard sales.

    Linda believed her favorite accomplishment was when she became Nyny.  She dearly loved all seven of her grandchildren: Abby, Bob, Nate, Melati, Katherine, Caleb, and Bella.  They say she was the best Nyny. She also had a special friend, Millie, who brought her great joy as her favorite animal friend.  Linda valued others immensely and was certainly an amazing wife, mother, grandma, and friend.

    Linda’s life on earth was not always easy, but she fought a good fight and finished the race, so her family rejoices that she is finally able to walk again.

    Memorials can be made to Mission III Academy, Oil Belt Christian Service Camp, or Til He Returns.

    Visitation: Wednesday December 21, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Little Prairie Christian Church, Albion, IL

    Funeral Service: Thursday December 22, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., Little Prairie Christian Church, Albion, IL

    Interment: Mt Zion Church Cemetery, Albion, IL

    Ingram Meridith Funeral Home, Albion, IL.

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

9 Condolences
 
  1. Connie Jo and Joe Miller / December 19, 2022 at 11:29 am

    Much love to all of you! Linda was a special friend to all!

  2. Terri Hilgeman / December 19, 2022 at 2:35 pm

    What a wonderful person she was!…She was always so very kind…Prayers for you all…as you continue on without her in the days to come…xoxoxo ❤️

    Our thoughts are with you..during these difficult times….
    Chuck & Terri Hilgeman

  3. Chad and JaJa / December 19, 2022 at 5:01 pm

    What an example she set for us! She was full of love for others. Keeping you all in prayer!

  4. Danielle Lankford Kimbrell / December 19, 2022 at 7:21 pm

    Linda was my friend. Reading her obituary, I see why we clicked so well! We shared the same interests in flowers, beautiful cards, garden flags, church camp and more. Over the last 30 plus years we had many fun talks, hard talks but always good talks. I always admired how she would think of the neatest gifts and outings for her grandkids as their doting NyNy. She considered each of their unique personalities when making these choices. She blessed my life, and I will miss her until we meet again.

  5. Angela / December 19, 2022 at 8:39 pm

    So many fond memories of growing up on Mrs. D’s playground. So glad you all can rejoice as she dances again. Thank you Jesus! Cherish those memories and join her some day. Thinking of you all often…

  6. Linda Points / December 19, 2022 at 9:54 pm

    She was a great gal I remember VBS too. Fine example with great family.

  7. Sandra Feltt / December 20, 2022 at 7:42 am

    It seems unfair that someone so full of love and kindness was thrown so many obstacles in their path. Linda was a hard worker, wanting to do only good for her family and others. When she could no longer be there to show how much she cared for others by doing things physically, she sent her caring and love to others by way of cards and handwritten messages. Linda has earned her right to go on to a place of rest where she can look down on those she’s loved and inspired. Her children and grandchildren will carry on the great qualities that she has laid a foundation for. Linda, you were admired and you were loved. I’m proud to be another of so many of your cousins.

  8. Janet Venters / December 20, 2022 at 8:57 am

    So sorry Patti! Praying God helps your breaking heart .

  9. Sharon Prather / December 21, 2022 at 3:57 pm

    Condolences to the families. I remember Linda well and she will be missed by many. Prayers to the Family.
    Sharon Prather

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