Linda Ann Shikles 71 of Bolivar, Missouri passed away Saturday May 30th 2026 at Mercy Hospital. 

    Linda was born November 4, 1954 in Lawrence Kansas. She was adopted by Kenneth Duane “Tex” and Isophine “Pat” Arnold Shields.

    Before school age Linda grew up in truck stops run by her parents. First at the Air Port Truck Stop on old US 66 near Rolla, MO. Later to a truck stop near Jonesburg, on I-70.

 Her dad ran the truck service part and her mom ran the diner. 

    When Linda grew to school age the family moved to the Clinton, MO area and Tex and Pat ran small garages and cafes. 

    Later while living in Wheatland the family started attending the Baptist Church near Pittsburg, MO where she was saved and baptized. 

    After graduating from Wheatland High in 1972 Linda enrolled in the teacher education program at Southwest Baptist College. 

    Linda and another young lady had sat side by side for the first two years during chapel. Then at the start of the third year a strange boy in a strawberry shirt arrived and was placed between them.  Linda, trying to be nice told the boy she liked his shirt, she really didn’t, so he wore it almost every day of chapel. It wouldn’t have been so bad if he had washed it on occasion. Linda, the boy, and a group of other students became friends and started running around together. It became obvious that Linda couldn’t get rid of the odd boy, so she accepted his proposal. Linda and Craig Shikles married on November 25,1978 at Corticelli Baptist Church, Russellville, MO. 

    After graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education in Social Science and History. Linda substitute taught for the spring semester, but decided she did not want to teach.  Linda took a job with Modern American Insurance Co. where she worked for 8 years until it was sold. After this she took a job in patient intake for Springfield Community Osteopathic Hospital. She worked there for 8 years. This is where her son Jon Benjamin was born.  Next Linda started a job with Blue Cross-Blue Shield, where she worked for 8 years. Upon leaving there Linda started employment with Mercy. Linda worked for Mercy doing clinic billing until her retirement on March 6, 2025.

    Linda loved Sci-fi television, fantasy books, traveling, and pop-culture conventions. She also loved spending time with family and friends. 

    Linda is preceded in passing by her Parents, older brother Bud Rice, older sister Allis, father-in-law Edw. Ewing Shikles, and brother-in-law Kim Shikles.

    Linda leaves behind her husband Craig of the home, their son Jon B. (Bonnie), sister Diane, mother-in-law Ethel May Shikles, of Corticelli MO; sister-in-law  Roxann Kinkade (Mark) of Olathe KS; brother-in-law Kevin Shikles of Russellville MO; sister-in-law Sue Reagan, and many nieces and nephews. 

    Visitation will be at Pitts Chapel of Bolivar MO, Wednesday June 3rd from 5 to 7 pm. Services will be at Wellspring Baptist Fellowship on Thursday June 4th 10 am, later interment at 3 pm at Enloe Cemetery, Russellville, Missouri.