Linda Orlene Rutledge

Linda Orlene Rutledge, age 81, of Plain City, Ohio, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, was unexpectedly called home by her Lord on September 1, 2023. Linda was born in Batesville, Ark. on July 24, 1942. She was a Christian and a long-time member of Dublin Baptist Church, Dublin, Ohio.

Linda met her husband, Larry, while in high school in Batesville, but they didn’t date until both were serving in the United States Navy. It was a long-distance romance as Linda was stationed in Pensacola, Fla. and Larry in Oak Harbor, Wash. Eventually it worked out; they married and Linda joined Larry in Washington, where, in between Larry’s deployments at sea, they enjoyed walks and cookouts on the beach, crabbing and crab boils, and bowling. They made life-long friendships amid the close knit naval aviation community on Whidbey Island. After naval service, Larry’s work for the Department of Defense led them to homes and adventures in New Bern, N.C., Virginia Beach, Va., River Head, N.Y., Oklahoma City, Ok., Washington, D.C, and Beavercreek, Ohio. Finally, they moved to the Columbus area in 2003 to be near their daughter, Kelly and new granddaughter, Emma.

Linda served proudly in the Navy as a flight training simulator instructor at Pensacola, Fla. She later obtained her degree in accounting and worked in various fields and, finally, as a medical office manager, retiring in 1999. Linda was a competitive tennis player in her younger years and was a voracious reader, especially historical novels. She loved antiques and had an extensive collection of bisque dolls. She was an avid gardener; she loved flowers and working in the vegetable garden. Linda was an animal lover and always had dogs; she leaves behind her beloved Ivan (the Terrible) and Willie John. Linda provided a loving, comforting home for her family; she was an excellent cook and made fine use of her garden yield. In retirement, Linda enjoyed traveling with Larry in their RV, boating and fishing, especially on Lake Erie.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Pearl and Robert Pool. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Larry Rutledge; daughter, Kelly Amber Rutledge; granddaughter, Emma Shae Rutledge; brother Jimmy Carl Pool (Barbara); brothers-in-law, Louis Case Burge II (Ann) and Mark Rutledge; sisters-in-law, Eva Parker Smith, Lana Robison (Phillip), Janet Hindman, Susan Davis (Richard), and 12 nieces and nephews.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, September 30, 2023, commencing at 10:30 AM. The services will be followed by visitation at 11:30; brunch will be served. The service and visitation will be held at Schoedinger Funeral and Cremation Service, 5980 Perimeter Dr Dublin, OH 43017.

In lieu of flowers, Linda would be most pleased with donations to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or to the Dublin Baptist Church, Dublin, Ohio (designated for missions).