Linda C. Straub Wadsworth, Ohio. January 19, 2017 -- Heaven gained an angel; Linda Catherine Jones Straub was welcomed to the arms of her lord and savior.
Linda was born in Rivesville, West Virginia, August 18th, 1938, to the lucky parents of Mildred Watkins Jones Core and Howard Jones.
Linda lived her life in the best two words that could be used to describe her: "She Loved." She loved life, she loved God and Jesus, she loved everyone around her. Most of all, she loved her soulmate Chester Straub and us boys, Ken and Kevin. We were and will forever be her boys. She married her soulmate on June 6th, 1959. When she would describe her wedding, she would say "it was small in a big way."
When she moved to Wadsworth in the early fifties, she finished her growing up years on Tolbert Avenue, sharing a home with her Mom and big sister Mary Edna. She was a graduate of Wadsworth Senior class of 1958. While she went to school, she worked at Franco's Pizza and found a rewarding job with Forrest Ritzman at Ritzman's Pharmacy. She worked there for a number of years until she married our dad.
The true passion that she soon found was the love of her children. She took care of many children throughout her lifetime. She bonded with every child she had and the parents. Many of the children referred to her as Aunt Linda and still call her that to this very day -- a quote from Charla Stonier Holland, "She will always be my Aunt Linda." She took care of a little preemie by the name of Kendel White. Mom had her for quite a while and usually every night Kendel would ask, "Can we stay for dinner?" Her dad took a job in Chicago and was not home during the week, so it was a custom that Mon,-Thur, we had special guests. Kendel grew up listening to country music on our radio since that is all mom played. Kendel says to this very day that, "Where I am today is because of Aunt Linda."
She was a member of the Wadsworth Eagles Women's Auxiliary where she held elective offices from Madam Treasurer to Madam Trustee to Madam President to Past Madam President.
She loved all of her family. My dad's nephew Robert "Bob" Straub has a special spot in her heart. He was like another son to her. She loved him very much.
She never met a stranger. My brother and I would have friends over and she was right there in conversation with us. Our friends were her friends; many of them would end up calling her Mom.
Her partner in crime, Nan Stonier. There are no words to describe their friendship. They have been friends for forty plus years. They would go shopping together, out to eat, movies, etc. They were inseparable.
When time came and mom needed home health care, an angel was sent to us in the form of Kelly Blumenstock. They had a very special relationship. Like a mother and daughter would have. Kelly took such great care of Mom.
Linda was preceded in death by her husband, the love of her life, Chester Straub; parents; sisters Margie B. Miller and Mary Edna Frase; brother-in-law Merle Frase and sister-in-law Rose Core; step-dad Harry Core; and great nephew Matt Core.
She is survived by her sons Kenneth and Kevin Straub; brother Bob Core; nephews Tim and Bob (Tama) Core and Michael Fox; numerous cousins, many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephews; special friends Kim and Rex White, Betty and Bob Coben, Nan Stonier, James and Jennifer Harris and Family, Ron Levitt, Laurie Wiesen Adrian, Tasha Kline, Rachel Vorstenbosch, Ruth Darling, Steve Dilworth, Ann Hayduk, Kelly Blumenstock, Justin Kreuscher, Mike Jones, and her four-legged friend Joey.
Funeral Services were conducted at 11:30 Wednesday, January 25, 2017, with Rev. James Singleton officiating, at First Christian Church, 116 E. Boyer St. Wadsworth, OH, where the family received friends 2 hours prior to the service from 9:30-11:30. Interment at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.
