Wayne T. Linker

Wayne T. Linker, age 85, of Freeport and previously of Chadwick, Illinois, passed away peacefully Sunday, September 12, 2021 at the FHN Memorial Hospital, Freeport.

Wayne was born December 6, 1935 at home near Chadwick, the son of John and Florence (Bundy) Linker. He is a 1953 graduate of the Chadwick High School where he played saxophone in the band and was active in FFA. Wayne started farming with his father at a very young age and spent his life as a dedicated grain and livestock producer of rural Chadwick. He passed his love of the land, animals and pets on to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. On March 11, 1956, Wayne married the love of his life, Mina Williams at the Chadwick Methodist Church and this year they were blessed to celebrate 65 years together.

Wayne enjoyed playing cards, dining-out with friends, bowling and going to Wrigley Field to watch his Chicago Cubs play, and later years watching them on tv. He was a member of the Chadwick United Methodist Church for many years, where he served as the treasurer for fifteen years along with several committees, member of Carroll County Farm Bureau, was a seed representative for many years, a former member of the Chadwick High School Board and a member of the Salem Township Board.
Wayne and Mina moved to Freeport in 2017 and joined the Harmony United Methodist Church. Wayne loved being with his family and was proud of each of them for all of their accomplishments. He was a truly supportive Grandpa sitting on bleachers for years.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Mina of Freeport; two sons, David (Pam) Linker of Coffee Creek, Montana and Doug (Jeanette) Linker of Lanark; two daughters, Penny (Tom) Ludwig of Lanark and Patty (Denise) Birdsell of Schaumburg, IL; seven grandchildren, Natalie Linker of Florida, Emily (Tyler) Hessler of Montana, Brock Linker of Montana, Whitney Holmes of Lanark, Andrew (Hannah) Ludwig of Lanark, Damaris Linker of Ohio and Hope (Jared) Jobes of Winnebago, IL; three great-grandchildren, Theodore and Ira Hessler and Carter Holmes; and two nephews, Marvin Jones and Randy Linker. Wayne is preceded in death by his parents; a sister and a brother.

A private family service will be held 10 a.m. Friday. Burial will be in the Chadwick Cemetery. A Celebration of Life Service will be held for the public at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, October 24, 2021 at the Harmony United Methodist Church in Freeport, with visitation time one hour prior to the service at the church. A memorial has been established in Wayne’s honor.