Linda Wyse Smucker died February 12, 2024, after a brief illness.
She was born December 10, 1943, in Washington County, Iowa, to Bernice M. Wyse and Maynard C. Wyse. On June 25, 1966, she married Russell A. Smucker, Zanesville, Ohio, and he survives her. She also leaves behind her daughter Susanna M. Parish (Gene Paul), Mentor, Ohio, son Pete C.W. Smucker (Angela), Deland, Florida, and brother Douglas Wyse, Largo, Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents, by her sister Berdene Barnes, Sugarcreek, Ohio and her brother, Lee Wyse, Coshocton County, Ohio.
Linda graduated from Goshen College with a degree in History, and she earned graduate work in Library Science from Indana University and Western Michigan University. She worked in a variety of libraries: children’s, university, and public, including Muskingum County Liberay System, both at the main branch in Zanesville,Ohio, and at the branch in Duncan Falls, Ohio. In addition, she served as the director of the Putnam and Muskingum County Historical Society.
A lifelong follower of Jesus Christ, Linda was always found on Sunday morning in worship. She and her family spent two years in voluntary service with Mennonite Central Committee in Lusaka, Zambia, where Russ taught at the University of Zambia. Linda and Russ also spent two terms of voluntary service with Mennonite Disaster Service, in College Station, Arkansas (tornado) and Warren, Minnesota (Red River Flood).
There will be a memorial service for Linda at 1 p.m. Friday, May 17, at Lockport Mennonite Church near Stryker, Ohio.