Linda Kay Eck, 81, of Galesburg, passed away at 3:40 pm, Friday, July 5th, 2024 at the Knox County Nursing Home.
She was born February 24th, 1943 in Monmouth, IL to John and Mildred Higgins of Alexis, IL. She married Willard (Bud) Eck on November 2nd, 1963 in Galesburg, IL. He preceded her in death on September 25th, 2005.
Linda’s love extended to her two children, Todd (Amy) Eck of Bushnell, IL and Mike (Beth) Eck of Galesburg, IL. She cherished her five grandchildren, Lacey Eck, Sierra Eck, Logan Eck, all of Bushnell and Nathan Eck, Jennifer Price, both of Galesburg. She has ten great grandchildren who will be blessed to carry on her legacy of rich appreciation for the past and family history. She is also survived by her brother, Steve Higgins of Moline, IL.
Linda was raised on a farm, and was a very active little daddy’s girl with bells on her shoes in order for her parents to keep track of her. She recalled enjoying 4H Club, Ag Club, Fellowship Club and roller skating as a child. She attended a one-room country school in Warren County, then Alexis Schools, graduating from Alexis High School.
Linda graduated from Brown’s Business College in Galesburg, IL. Her earliest jobs were with Alton Box Board Company and the Bank of Alexis. She spent many years at the Care Center of Abingdon as the administrative secretary and then as the assistant administrator. She finished her career as part-time secretary for several small businesses.
She had a deep appreciation for history, especially her family’s genealogy and the photos and stories she found along the way. In 2015, she and a friend researched and published a book chronicling experiences of local adults who grew up going to one-room country school houses. She was a member of the Abingdon United Methodist Church and later the First United Presbyterian Church of Knoxville.
Linda enjoyed playing the piano, often playing for the church services in her younger years. She also enjoyed canning garden produce, and cooking and baking for her friends and neighbors.
Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. on Friday, July 12th, 2024 at the First United Presbyterian Church of Knoxville. Visitation will be 10:00 AM, Friday, July 12th, 2024 at the First United Presbyterian Church of Knoxville. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens, Galesburg, IL. Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Home and Crematory, Knoxville has been entrusted with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Knoxville Food Pantry or to the First United Presbyterian Church of Knoxville. On-line condolences and/or expressions of sympathy may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com
