Linda Kay Slifer, 71, passed away Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013, peacefully at her home in Englewood, Fla., in the arms of her husband and daughter.

She was born in Fairfield, Ill., June 18, 1941, to Howard Thomas Palmer and Lillian Virginia Sorrels.

On Oct. 20, 1965, she married Edward Doyle Slifer. Linda graduated co-valedictorian from Flora High School in 1959, and later went to school to become a medical technologist. She worked for approximately 20 years for both Dr. DelValles and felt a genuine concern for all the patients she met there. Prior to that, she was the co-owner of a needlework store, The Needle and I, for 10 years. In her younger years she enjoyed playing tennis and racquetball and tending to the flowers in her garden. Linda and Doyle enjoyed an active social life with a large network of friends. Right up until the day of her passing, she remained an avid reader with a brilliant mind. She was a devoted wife, a selfless mother, a loving grandmother, and a loyal friend, who will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Linda is survived by her mother, Virginia Kerr of Fairfield; her husband, Doyle Slifer; three siblings, Elaine Nelson of Leo, Ind., Jim Palmer of Taylorville, Ill., and Greg Palmer of Effingham, Ill.; five children, Lisa (Keith) Wichterman of Springfield, Ill., Kelly (Mark) Hanley of Arlington,Texas, Eric White of Acworth, Ga., Andrea (David) Loder of Shalimar, Fla., and Doyle (Shannon) Slifer, Jr. of Champaign, Ill.; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandson. She was preceded in death by her father and they have now been reunited.

In keeping with Linda’s wishes, there will be no funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla., or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Arrangements are by Farley Funeral Homes & Crematory.