Born July 9, 1938 in Pekin to William and Geneva (Rogers) Merritt, she married Richard Cook on December 7, 1956 in Pekin.
Surviving are her husband; two sons, Richard (Patricia) Cook, Jr. of Macomb and Randy (Diane) Cook of Channahon; six grandchildren, Elizabeth, Bryan, Matthew, Joshua, Kaitlyn and Caleb Cook; and three sisters, Judy Merritt and Geraldine Buchanan, both of Pekin and Patsy (Leslie) Blaylock of Mapleton.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Robert and Jerry Merritt; and one sister, Loraine Avery.
Linda had worked as a waitress, mostly at the Pekin Country Club and Pekin Holiday Inn, for over 30 years.
She enjoyed cooking and crocheting.
Her funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, 2009at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 TAPS Lane, Pekin, IL 61554.
