Linda Elder, 75, of Palestine, IL, passed away on April 17, 2025, but not before living one heck of a life.
Born on August 14, 1949, Linda grew up north of Oblong near White Oak, where bare feet in creeks and tree-climbing adventures shaped her early years. From the start, she was a force—tiny in stature, but full of fire and heart. Horses were her first love. She always had them nearby and never quite lost the girlhood thrill of a good gallop. Her childhood bond with her brother Bob was as strong as they come—unshakable, full of laughter, loyalty, and a shared stubborn streak that neither of them ever grew out of.
A 1967 graduate of Oblong High School, her career proved that Linda wasn’t afraid to work—and work hard. She waitressed for a while, then spent many years at Jakel Motors before moving to Pioneer Label in the mid-1990s. She retired in 2009 from the shipping and receiving department, where she was known for flinging boxes twice her size like they weighed nothing. If there was one thing Linda couldn’t tolerate, it was laziness. Her co-workers respected her hustle and loved her spunk. She stood her ground, and she stood up for others too.
But Linda’s greatest joy wasn’t work—it was family.
She was the kind of woman who showed up. Every time. For every game. For every birthday. For every moment that mattered. She didn’t just love her family—she held them together. And she did it with food. Goulash. Biscuit doughnuts. Nachos that deserved awards. Crab salad. Broccoli salad. Even at the river, she always had food ready, regardless of how long they were planning on staying.
If you’re picturing Linda, you probably see her outside—by a campfire at the river (no matter the temperature). And chances are, she’d have chapstick in one hand and a Styrofoam cup (always a Styrofoam cup) in the other. Or maybe you’re picturing her working in her yard with a green thumb that her kids never quite inherited. She was a woman who believed in making things grow—not just flowers, but relationships and memories as well. And she grew them all beautifully.
She loved her family fiercely and quietly. She didn’t need to be the center of attention—but she was always the one making sure everyone else was okay. Picking up after family dinners. Worrying if there was enough food. Keeping the peace. Keeping Mike in line. Keeping the kids grounded. She never complained, not even at the end. Linda lived with strength, independence, and honesty. She was kind. She was gentle. She was compassionate. But she was also tough. She had walked through a lot. And she had conquered a lot. But she never let the weight of the world steal her warmth.
To know Linda was to know someone genuine. Honest. Trustworthy.
She was the real deal—no pretense, no performance. She just loved—steadily, humbly, and with her whole heart. She showed up. She listened. She stayed. And in doing so, she became the kind of person who quietly shaped the lives around her—not with grand gestures, but with everyday grace. The kind of grace that we know will linger in our hearts for as long as we live.
She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Mike Elder; her children & their spouses, Shawn & Lori Elder, Dusty & Kristie Elder, Don & Karen York, and Jessica & Joe Cunningham; her grandchildren & their spouses, Jami & Jacob, MaeCie & John, McKenna & Bryan, Shawn, Jarrett & Brittney, Blaze & Codie, Chase, Koal, Keegan, Kulden, Bryce & Ivy, Jayden, Quinn, Cage, Brooklyn, and Cane; her great-grandchildren, Michaela, Justin, Abbi, Ayden, Addy, Emerson, Emilia, Layla, Lakelyn, and Ledger; her sister-in-law & brother-in-law, Vicki & Dave Krenke; and her nephew Garrison & wife Sierra Martin (and their family). She was preceded in death by her parents, Gerald & Pauline (Miller) Martin; her son, Jeramie Elder; and her brother, Robert “Big Bob” Martin.
Linda’s family invites everyone to gather down Elder Lane at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 26th, to celebrate her life the way she’d want—together.
In honor of Linda’s lifelong connection to this community, memorial donations may be made to the “Palestine Public Library” and can be sent to the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine, which is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information, or to share a memory or condolence online, please visit www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com.
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