Linda D Nealy

Today, we honor the life or our mother Linda Diana Ruckes Nealy.

She was truly an amazing, kind and loving woman. A Loving wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, sister and friend to many she will be sorely missed. We thank God for the 73 years of life he gave us with her. We thank God for the gift of time that he gave us with her mother. He could have taken her 7 years ago when she initially had her stroke, but God saw fit to allow us time and we thank him for his love, care and grace. Linda went home to be with her lord and savior after a very long illness, and we thank him for his mercy.

Our mother was born Linda Diane Ruckes, to Madiline & Ollie Ruckes on March 9th, 1952 in Chicago IL. The second child of 8. Linda came from a large and loving family who continue to look after each other and who loved her dearly.

She received her education from Bowen High School in Chicago. From there, she went on to Olive Harvey College where she went on to become a dental hygienist. Mom grew up in the turbulent 1960s. Education was extremely important and a means of escape from a hard life. She tried to make sure her siblings understood the value of an education after the death of their mother at a very young age.

Linda gave her life to Jesus Christ at an early age. She found joy singing for God in the church and with her cousins where they formed the singing group The Mighty Gospel Wonders. She toured, sang on local radio and church events from 1968-1970. She passed this love of Jesus on to her daughters who she took to church.

Mom enjoyed old movies, musicals, signing in bands though out her life. She made everything from ceramics to making cloths. She enjoyed her garden and the farming life she grew up in. Mom had an amazing sense of humor. She loved to laugh and joke around with her daughters.

Mom was a jack of all trades and a hustler. One way or the other, she was gonna make it happen. She sold so many things from Avon to Tupa wear, to Jafra, to Shackley, to Watkins spices and the list goes on, and on. She worked very hard. up to 3 jobs at a time to keep a roof over our heads. Mom sacrificed more than we will ever know to keep food on the table and cloths on our backs. We thank you mommy for doing your best when your best was all you had. We thank you for the long sleepless nights where you worked at a bank, then waited tables for tips. We thank you for busting your tail to make sure we had the homes we had. We thank you for the love in our growing up years and the lessons.

We thank you for being the best Nana you could be to your grandchildren. We thank you for the love and life you gave us.

Linda had many joys in this life. Her grandchildren, her animals, being an army wife. She was so much more than the illness that cut her life short.

She spoke often of how she enjoyed being a military wife and being able to see some of the country. From her first marriage she was given three lovely daughters. Angela Gant of Arizona, Tamara Gant of Florida and Sabrina Mitchell of Arizona. From her second marriage of 45 years to Charles Nealy, no children were born. Linda spent 45 years in marriage to charles. We know she wouldnt have changed a thing.

linda was proceeded in death by her mother and father Madiline & Ollie Ruckes. Elder Sister Claudine Ruckes. She leaves to mourn her loving husband of 45 years Charles I Nealy. Daughters Angela Gant, Tamara Gant, Sabrina & Jeffery Mitchell. Grand children Rose Zecirir and Tevin Bailey. Great Grand children Anayah Zecir and Ambrozia Zeciri. Siblings Herbert Sabrina Ruckes, Yvonne Ruckes, Denise Ruckes, Elizabeth Ruckes, Edrick Ruckes & Penny Ruckes. Many nieces and nephews and a host of cousins and friends.

A memorial service for Linda will be held on Wednesday September 10, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. in Finch Funeral Home, 405 East Hitt, Mt. Morris, IL. A burial of cremains will be held at a later date. A visitation will be held on Wednesday September 10, 2025 from 11:00 A.M. until service time in Finch Funeral Home.