Linda F. Ellison, 72, of Monmouth, IL, passed away on Sunday, November 9, 2025, in Betty’s Garden at Courtyard Estates of Monmouth, IL.
Linda was born on May 22, 1953, in Moline, IL, the daughter of Fay and Virginia (Johnson) Johnson. She was raised and educated in Monmouth and graduated from Monmouth High School in 1971. Linda later earned her BA from Monmouth College and received her Master of Education from Western Illinois University. She continued earning postgraduate credits at both Augustana College and Western Illinois University throughout her teaching career.
Through her first marriage, she had two children, Jason and Erika. Linda then met her beloved husband, Rodger Ellison. They were married on June 1, 1991, at the historic Stewart House in Monmouth, Illinois.
Linda devoted her life to teaching, specifically to the field of Special Education. She dedicated over 34 years to teaching for the Knox-Warren Special Education department at Monmouth High School, where she propelled countless lives forward with her compassion, commitment, and advocacy. She was empathetic to the core and for many of her students promoted their abilities while supporting their strengths. In addition to her work at Monmouth High School, she also served as an adjunct professor at Monmouth College, sharing her expertise and inspiring the future educators in the field. Her passion was creating interactive memorable lessons that engaged her students and assisted them in truly understanding the material presented.
Linda was a proud member of Delta Kappa Gamma and a member of the First Lutheran Church in Monmouth, where she faithfully served in many roles over the years. She had a passion for entertaining, cooking, and loved to showcase her Swedish roots with her famous cardamom bread. She never passed up the chance to enjoy a good cup of tea, go for walks in the autumn with Rodger, and enjoyed supporting her kids in all sports and academics. Linda cherished her dinner group girls, treasuring laughter, food, and the friendship that they shared. Above all, she loved spending time with her grandchildren and took great joy in reading to them, attending their activities, and celebrating their accomplishments.
Surviving Linda is her husband, best friend, and soulmate, Rodger Ellison of Monmouth, IL; her children, Dr. Jason (Cherie) Clark of Moline, IL, Erika Clark of Davenport, IA, their father, Dennis Clark of Monmouth, IL; her step daughter Hillarie (Mark) Welsh of St. Paul, MN; her grandchildren, Tyler Clark, Griffin Clark, Maddox Clark, Natalie Welsh, Grant Welsch, and Everly Ellison. Also surviving are her brother, Lonnie (Kathy) Johnson of Monmouth, IL, Regina (Dennis) Frieden of Kolona, IA, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; stepson, Jon Ellison; and numerous aunts and uncles.
Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 22, 2025, at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home, Monmouth, IL. Visitation will be prior to the service from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Cremation rites have been accorded. Interment will be in Monmouth Cemetery, Monmouth, IL. Memorials can be made to the Linda Ellison Memorial Fund, which supports a scholarship for students pursuing a career in education, and can be sent to the funeral home. McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements. For more information or to leave an online condolence, visitwww.mcguireanddaviesfuneralhome.com.
