Growing up Linda was my second mom. Being best friends with her son Justin, I spent MANY afternoons on the slip-n-slide in their back yard, and evenings in the basement playing Nintendo. She always made great food and snacks too that fueled those late night gaming sessions. I remember she was very crafty and artistic, and always had such a warm smile and kind demeanor. (Even when J and I weren't following the rules) She had the house decorated with cherished items made and found along her journeys. (rabbits I think) Over the years I have stayed in contact with Justin, but sadly I hadn't seen Linda in a very long time. But, I did hear about her through J, and I know that she is loved dearly. My memories of her will always be a sweet kind soul, who let me stay up late playing video games. Thats hard to top!! <3 Love you Linda, may you  rest in peace. 

I am Linda's baby sister,  her flower girl at her and Ricks wedding. What a beautiful person she was! Not only beautiful on the outside but inside too!  A good friend, a compassionate heart, and a listening ear. She had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. God gave her many creative gifts that she used to bless other people all her life. My joy now is in knowing she no longer suffers from anything and is in the presence of her Savior. I look forward to seeing her again one sweet day!  

When we were in high school, her son Justin and I were constantly together.  I remember Linda always there at the door to greet me.  She was like a second mom, always asking about my life, how school was going, and there was always an offer to make food.  She will be missed.

Linda was like a 2nd mother to me.  Justin, her son and I grew up together as best friends; In which we still are today. With both of us sharing the same passion for creating music, we eventually started up a project with Linda's basement being the rehearsal space. She was always very supportive and encouraging to us. Sharing the same demeanor of a beautiful & free spirit. 

As an audibly driven being of sound, the one thing that I will never forget and carry with me is the beautiful voice that Linda had. It was the voice of an angel. 

My heart goes out to her family. May they only be left with the cherished and comforting memories of the angel we all know as Linda.  



Linda was one of the sweetest, kindest ladies that I have been blessed to know. She would call me and send me messages checking on  me and she never missed a chance to tell me what a blessing I was to her and her family. She always ended it with love and hugs. I could talk to Linda for hours about any subject without finding the subject getting boring. She touched my life in a way that only people with a special gift are able to touch people's lives. She will be missed, I miss her already. Even though we were years apart in age, we had a lot in common. She was a beautiful person with a kind beautiful loving caring soul. You will never be forgotten. Love and hugs..... 

I am so sorry to hear of Linda's passing.  She was a part of our "button collecting world." She hosted some of our early club meetings at her home, sharing her expertise and creativity.  My condolences to her family.  I am grateful that I knew her.

Linda has been my dearest friend starting in the Heart of America Button Club and more for the last 20 years.  She was intelligent, extraordinarily creative, funny, giving from deep within her heart, loving, and a mentor to me.  She flew up here to northern Indiana after my husband and I retired in 2008, and we loved going through a big button collection I had just acquired.  She helped me have a tea party for my friends, orchestrated the remodeling of our “grandchildren’s room” with creating a reading nook, bright curtains, primary colored walls, grandkids’ handprints on a wall, etc.  I even got her on a horse for a leisurely horseback ride.  She created a shadow box for me which included items that represented my whole life, and I know she did the same thing for at least one other dear friend.  She reached out with a loving friendship that grew over the years and often reminded me she loves me.  Even when she suffered from severe chronic back pain and depression, she always showed her love toward others.  She was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandma, setting the bar high for a loving family.  She has peace now as she walks with Jesus in the Light, with no earthly pain, but just the incomparable love and joy of Heaven.  She will always live in our hearts because she is part of our very souls now.  We are better because of her. 
 With much love to Her husband Rick and their wonderful sons, 
Miz Di, as she called me.  - Dianne Chmidling

OBITUARY

Linda Kay Kelly

January 23, 1951 – March 16, 2018

McGilley & Hoge Johnson County Memorial Chapel

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