Linda Sue Jones
Linda Sue Jones, age 75, of Shelby, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday night, September 28, 2025. Linda passed at Embassy of Willard.
Linda was born May 10, 1950 in Shelby, she was the daughter of the late Henry M. and Betty Elaine (Cheesman) Barnhart. A 1968 graduate of Shelby High School, she continued her education at Tiffin University where she graduated magna cum laude in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Linda has been employed at Lumbermens Mutual in Mansfield prior to taking a job with MTD- Shelby Operations in 1985. She served as a payroll administrator for 29 years before retiring in 2014.
Throughout her life, Linda was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Shelby. She contributed actively to Trinity’s youth ministry program and found the experience highly rewarding. Linda also was a lay speaker at many United Methodist Women’s events, meticulously pairing her music selections with her spoken message. Her love for God and her church family was great.
For hobbies, she enjoyed watching classic television shows along with playing cards and games on her tablet to keep her mind active. Her efforts certainly paid off as Linda’s mind was sharp to the very end. She also looked forward to planning and going on annual trips each October to various locations with family.
No matter where Linda was, she touched people’s hearts. She will be missed by her family; her cousins: Pam (Randy) Waddles and their daughter, Sarah Waddles, and granddaughter, Lillian Rivera, and cousin, Susan (Tod) Terveen, and their daughter, Brielle; her niece: Shannon (Brian) Fisher of Fredericktown; her nephew: Shane (Mara) Barnhart of Cardington and their children, Ava and Easton Barnhart; and numerous extended family, friends, and church family. In addition to her parents, Linda was preceded in death by her sister: Carol Jean Barnhart; and brother and sister-in-law: Donald and Gay Barnhart.
Family and friends are welcome on Thursday, October 2, 2025 from 10-11 am at the Penwell Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, where funeral services will immediately follow at 11 am. Dave Melick will officiate the services with burial following in Oakland Cemetery, Shelby. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Shining Lights Pre-School.
Condolences may be left on Linda’s obituary on the funeral home’s website (PenwellFuneralHome.com) or their Facebook page (Facebook.com/PenwellFuneralHome).
To view Linda’s tribute video click here: Linda’s tribute video.
Linda was a dear friend. We taught Sunday School together and also was in PET together. She was a diligent worker and did everything to perfection. I am sorry I cannot come as it is difficult to travel but will be there in spirit. She is at peace and a pain free body and with her Lord and Savior.
So sorry to hear of Linda’s passing. I knew Linda forever it seems If not personally but through her mother whom I worked with at Autocall. Then later at MTD while I worked in Willard in payroll. My deepest condolences. May she rest in peace
Linda was so instrumental of numerous mission trips to Henderson Settlement, Kentucky during the 2000’s with our combined youth groups from FUMC and Trinity. She helped me so much during that time.
Prayers to her loved ones.
Linda was a blessing to meet. Linda always offered a kind smile, words of encouragement, and a delicious cookie. I will miss you dearly Linda.
Linda was a gift to the Shelby Trinity and the Shelby First United Methodist Youth ministry as a passionate team leader! Linda served with love and it showed!
It was Linda’s desire for students to experience a life changing relationship with Jesus. Therefore, she was present and “ready to go” in vans filled with youth, to youth rallies, winter retreats, confirmation trips, mission trips, Aquire the Fire weekends, youth conference events, Christian concerts, white-water rafting trips, “youth musical” presentations and traveling with the Youth Tour (coaching students with their speaking parts).
Plus, Linda took part in a number of challenging adventures such as, the 30-hour famine and “sleep-out for homeless” (living 24-hrs in a cardboard box in the Walmart parking lot, in the cold rain) to raise money for local homeless shelters.
Linda had a heart to help others and a desire to experience all that God would put before her! She was a part of community prayer gatherings, Experiencing God studies and many Bible studies. We watched God do mighty things in the lives of our youth and youth from other churches!
Linda was more than a friend, she was a spiritual sister and a gift to our family! I celebrate the joy she is experiencing in the presence of Jesus!
Linda was a dear spirit always helping with the youth, which she loved. She has been missed since her illness. May she rest in peace.
My thoughts and prayers to the family of Linda. She was a trusted and excellent MTD employee and employee advocate. She took care of all the employ
My thoughts and prayers to the family of Linda. She was a trusted and excellent MTD employee and employee advocate. She took care of all the employees paychecks like th
My thoughts and prayers to the family of Linda. She was a trusted and excellent MTD employee and employee advocate. She took care of all the employees paychecks like they were hers personally. She was a sweet soul.
It was my great privilege to have known Linda since 1974. I met her when we were both working at IBS in Mansfield. Truly, a light has gone out in the world with her passing. My deepest sympathy to her family and others who knew her. I want to especially thank Pamela Waddles for keeping me updated and in touch with Linda.
May Linda Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory.
I am so sorry to hear of Linda’s passing. My deepest condolences to the family. I met Linda back in the 70s when working at IBS and LMI of Mansfield. She was always baking something good to share with many of us work. Few people possess the considerate unselfish heart that she had. She was a kind and caring soul. May she rest in peace.