Linda Kesler

East Alton-Linda Sue Kesler, 84, passed away Friday, March 27, 2026 at La Bella of Alton.

Born June 14, 1941 in Jacksonport, AR, she was a daughter of Noel and Hazel (Dyke) Gullett.

Linda attended Newport High School in Arkansas, participating in the Follies and playing the flute and clarinet in the band. She was also a Majorette. After high school she moved to the East Alton, IL area and began her job at Olin Corp., reaching the position of Lab Leader in the metallic manufacturing department before retiring after 40 years. She met Carl E. Kesler, and they married Nov. 7, 1964 in Edwardsville. He preceded her in death in 2021.

Linda was a lot of fun and had a sharp wit. She had many friends and was a very active member of the Red Hat Society of Alton. They went on many trips together, including to Ireland. She was an active member of Friendship General Baptist Church in East Alton, where she taught Sunday school, played piano and organ, made the Sunday bulletins, and served as treasurer as well as in the Women's Missionary Society. She also participated in many plays at Alton Little Theater and occasionally played guitar and sang with Carl's bands.

Linda had no children of her own, but she inherited three through her marriage to Carl. They are Rhonda Keeney and Clyde Randal Kesler, both surviving and Patricia Spickerman, who also preceded her in death. Her step grandkids are Mikki Dearing, Michael T. Bonbrake, Martin Keeney, Brandi Jackson, Erik Kesler, Daniel Spickerman, Shelby Spickerman, and James Stanton; Also surviving are step great grandchildren, Curt Kutter, Kelsey Kutter, Taylor Leonard, Cowan Jackson, Abbigail Kesler, and Aryn Spickerman; and siblings, Kenny (Shera) Davenport of Newport, AR, and Frances Foll of Murfreesboro, TN. She was also preceded in death by a sister, JoAnn Morris and a brother, Jearl Gullett.

Visitation will be Thursday, Apr. 2 at Paynic Home for Funerals from 3 p.m. until services begin at 6 p.m. with Pastor James Overbey officiating.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

An online guestbook is available at www.paynicfh.com