Linda E. (Cotton) Speer, age 66 of Elwood, had her beautiful life stolen from her on Monday, July 7, 2014 at her residence in Elwood. She was born May1, 1948 in Elwood, the daughter of Dr. Perry E. and Evelyn F. (Fisher) Cotton. Linda was employed nearly 30 years at Steel Parts Corporation in Tipton as a press operator. She was a 1967 graduate of Wendell L. Willkie High School and later attended beauty school. Linda also formerly worked at Airfoil Textron in Elwood for several years. She was a member of the United Steel Workers Union #3875. Linda enjoyed renovating and decorating her home, and was an avid reader and member of the Elwood Library book club. She enjoyed watching old movies and enjoyed attending the Elwood Concerts in the Park where she often danced. She loved spending time with family and friends - especially her grandchildren. Linda was a sweet, kind person who trusted everyone and was always thinking of others.

Linda's family includes 2 daughters, Andrea L. (husband Kevin) Burt of Elwood and Jan I. (husband Johnny) Pine of Elwood; 2 sisters, Marilyn (husband Dallas) Etchison formerly of Tipton and now of Bangor, ME, Joyce (husband Col. Earl II) Ruby of Carmichael, CA; special brother, Paul (wife Jennifer) Kangai; brother-in-law, Donald Hill; 6 grandchildren, Christopher A. Sorg (fiance' Ashley Shepherd), Elizabeth A. (husband Michael) Swan, Rachel L. Burt (fiance' Harley Mahkne), John Anthony Pine and Jessica D. (husband Christopher) Pine-Fultz, and Jacob D. Pine; 4 great-grandchildren, Lilly Swan, Weston Sorg, Noah Sorg, and Tori Shepard; special nieces, Madison Kangai and Riley Kangai; 2 former spouses, Roy "Gene" Gipson and Stephen Speer; several nieces and nephews; and many friends in our community.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and 4 sisters, JoAnn Seright, Nancy Jane Hill, Carol Frye and Alice Knotts.

A celebration of Linda's life will be conducted at 1 PM on Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at Copher-Felser-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Rev. Matt Miller officiating. Burial will follow in the Elwood City Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 3 to 7 PM on Monday, July 14, 2014 at the funeral home and from noon to 1:00 PM prior to the funeral on Tuesday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Reward Fund to find more information about Linda's death through Encompass Credit Union in Elwood and Tipton. Online condolences: www.copherfeslermay.com.