Linda J. Heisey

Linda Joyce Heisey, age 76 of Mount Joy, entered into Jesus' arms on September 20, 2024, at Juniper Village, Mount Joy, surrounded by her husband, daughter, and sister. She was born to LeRoy J. and Mildred R. Neideigh on May 2, 1948.
Linda first lived at the Donegal Springs house and then at a house on College Ave. in Elizabethtown, PA, and graduated from Elizabethtown High School in 1966. She earned her varsity letter for her involvement in the library club. Linda learned Fortran computer language in high school and created three successful programs, including a chess game a human could not beat, making use of local college mainframes to run the punch cards. Following high school, she worked for an accountant and was a teller at the Commonwealth National Bank, Elizabethtown.
She then met the love of her life in John when a friend suggested they meet. And that started a lifetime of memories of John and Linda being together. John always testifies that "the Lord gave me Linda." Through their dating years, they roller danced at the rink at Rocky Springs Park, Lancaster, went with their 4-H Senior Extension group to the State Farm Show, and took other group trips. They enjoyed square dancing together and their square-dancing set won State Champion! John proposed and gave Linda a diamond ring on Christmas of 1969, and they were married on June 14, 1970. They then built their dream house together in Mount Joy and lived there for 54 years.
Linda happily took on the role of "bonus mom" to John's two sons, Joel D. Heisey and John Mark Heisey and loved having them be a part of their lives. Then in 1973, their first daughter was born, Lynnea J. Heisey (Hameloth), followed by Naomi A. Heisey (Myer), Megan E. Heisey (Fleming), and Joy R. Heisey (Persinger).
John and Linda ran Heisey Farm Service, and they enjoyed working together to make the business the best it could be. There were many long hours and a lot of hard work, but they worked together and built a successful Anhydrous Ammonia business. The girls fondly remember making banana splits for the farmers in the basement of their house during the annual customer appreciation party.
Linda was the office manager, purchasing agent, employee supervisor, worked the phone/was dispatcher, customer salesperson, and mechanic, having to start the diesel trucks for the men when they ran out of fuel. She basically ran Heisey Farm Service in addition to being an amazing mother to her children, always keeping a tidy house and cooking amazing meals every night all while running a successful farming business out of their home.
She was an expert sewer. She made her square dance dress, and it won 1st place in 4-H. She made her husband's wedding suit and her wedding dress. She also made the wedding dresses and attire for all 4 of her daughter's weddings and won Best in Show at the Manheim Farm Show for the one with 120 pieces. Many of her projects received ribbons and awards for the quality of her work. Her daughters will forever treasure the time and effort she put into making their wedding days so very special.
Linda was an avid gardener, and she shared her plants to many people who would visit her flower gardens and now her plants live on in many beautiful gardens around the area. She was an amateur meteorologist and no matter where you lived, she always knew what weather you were going through and would wonder if you were alright.
Linda enjoyed teaching young children and was the preschool Sunday School teacher at St. Mark's for many years. She shared a passion with John to make it possible for children to be adopted and be loved. They cared compassionately for the orphans and widows. She maintained and coordinated elderly care for her own grandma and for her elderly parents and in-laws. She spent countless hours visiting friends and relatives.
Linda's love language was both giving gifts, meals, cards, and serving others. She did this so well throughout her life. She was a deaconess at Florin Church of the Brethren (COB) and helped prepare and serve many funeral meals. Linda was an innovative leader. When she became aware of a need in the community, she would include the church in the solution by asking, "What can we do about it?" One ministry she carried out the vision for was the weekly Breakfast Bowl at Florin COB. She also served as the church wedding coordinator and worship center coordinator. There were many beautiful altar arrangements thanks to Linda's creativity. Linda had spiritual gifts for getting visions and dreams, which encouraged her in her journey of faith.
If you needed to know how things worked or where things were, the best advice was, "Check with Linda." If you needed something fixed, you asked Linda, and she could figure it out. Her many health struggles turned into opportunities to tell other patients and nursing staff about God's love for them.
During her girls' school years at Kraybill Mennonite School she served as room mom and made hot lunches for the students. She also was well known as the "Strawberry Pie Lady." The number of strawberry pies she supervised being made is astounding.
Linda also enjoyed serving back at Camp Swatara as the craft director and many kids had the joy of making fun projects thanks to her. She used nature items to make especially creative projects. And this was all before Pinterest! The children remember many fun birthday celebrations that all happened thanks to Mom. She would always make each birthday special.
Once her kids grew up and left the coop, John and Linda enjoyed traveling together. They visited all 50 states and eight Canadian provinces! And they both enjoy photography so there are many beautiful photos to display from the many travels they were able to do together. One of Linda's greatest joys was being around her grandchildren. She never forgot a birthday and sent each one a beautiful card on their birthday, even as the number of grandchildren kept growing.
In her later years, Linda found a new hobby of painting. She took art classes and painted many wonderful pieces. Her art was recently featured and on display at Juniper Village.
Linda was a loving, perfect mother and wife; she never got angry or yelled at us. We are sad that she is gone but rejoicing that she is no longer in pain.
She is survived by her loving husband who will never stop loving her, along with her daughters, stepsons, a dear sister, and 19 grandchildren. Many friends and neighbors will also miss her dearly.
Her memorial service will be held at Florin Church of the Brethren, 518 Bruce Avenue, Mount Joy, PA on October 13, 2024, at 1:00 PM. Light refreshments will be served afterward with a time to mingle and share memories.
In lieu of flowers we ask that you donate to your favorite charity in her name or plant a flower or tree in honor of Linda. She would love that. To participate in a Zoom presentation of the service, enter Meeting ID 88980254311 and Passcode 390140. To express a condolence with the family visit www.spencefuneralservices.com.