Mrs. Linda Margaret Stewart, known lovingly to family and friends as Linda, age 78, of Robinson, Illinois, passed away on October 9, 2026, after a long period of failing health. She was born on May 11, 1948, in Tuscola, Illinois, to Harold Todd and Rosemary (Smith) Todd, and she carried the grace, warmth, and determination of her hometown with her throughout her life.
Linda was a Christian woman whose faith was not merely spoken, but lived. She believed in the goodness of God, the value of hard work, and the importance of showing up for the people you love. She had a friendly spirit, a creative mind, and a personality that could brighten a room before she even said a word. Linda had a way of making people feel welcome, and she could turn an ordinary conversation into something memorable, often with a smile, a wise remark, or a perfectly timed bit of humor.
Linda graduated from Tuscola High School in 1966, and later earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Eastern Illinois University in 1970. She went on to devote 35 years of her life to teaching elementary school with Community School District #4 in Oblong, Illinois. She was the kind of teacher children remembered for the rest of their lives, not only because she taught them lessons from books, but because she taught them kindness, patience, and how to keep going when something looked difficult. She had the rare gift of making learning feel possible, and she approached her work with devotion, energy, and a steady sense of purpose. If a classroom needed order, she had it. If a child needed encouragement, she gave it. Even up to her last days, previous students would approach her to say hello, and she had a special way of remembering each of them. She loved being a teacher both inside and outside the classroom.
On June 20, 1970, Linda married her life-long love, Mr. Rodney L. “Rod” Stewart, and together they built a family grounded in love, laughter, and faith. Their marriage was a partnership in every sense, filled with shared memories, daily routines, and the kind of companionship that grows deeper with time. Linda is survived by her husband of 53 years, Rodney; her daughters, Jaymie (Abe) Mikeworth of Robinson, IL, and Lindsay (Eric) Stewart-Schmidt, Robinson, IL; her brother, Randy Todd. St. Louis, MO,; her sisters, Toni (Hank) Nix, Aurora, CO; Margie (Garry) Keller, Naperville, IL; and Jayne (Mike) Genta, Effingham, IL; her grandchildren, Jordan (Dusty) Anderson, Annapolis, IL; Owen Schmidt, Ian Schmidt, and Alexandra Schmidt, Robinson, IL; her great-grandchild, Cooper Bennett; and her mother-in-law, Mrs. Joan Stewart. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Rosemary Todd, an infant brother Robert Todd, and her father-in-law, William “Bill” Stewart. She now rests in the eternal care of the Lord she trusted so faithfully.
She loved living life to the fullest, whether it was playing cards, trying her luck at gambling, or enjoying her well-deserved retirement days shopping. But her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren, spoiling them every chance she got, and making memories they will cherish forever. She will be remembered for her fun-loving, fiery spirit, her generous heart, and the endless love she shared with her family. Her presence will be deeply missed, but her love and laughter will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
Linda was a dedicated member of the Illinois Education Association and the National Education Association as well as a member of Beta Sigma Phi, Sorority, Ladies of ELKS #1188 and 100 Women Who Care, a local Philanthropic and Charitable Organization.
Her family and friends will miss her deeply, but they take comfort in knowing that her faith has now become sight and that her long season of struggle is over. Linda’s life was a testimony to love, perseverance, and the quiet strength of a woman who gave her best to her family, her students, and her community. She leaves behind a legacy of devotion, generosity, and joy, and her memory will continue to bless all who were fortunate enough to know her. In the words of Scripture, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Linda Stewart truly lived a life worthy of those words.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 10:00 am in St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, Robinson, IL, with Fr. David Beagles celebrating the Mass. The Vigil (visitation) will be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Pulliam Funeral Home, Robinson, IL. Interment will follow the Mass in the Robinson New Cemetery.
The family suggests, for those wishing to do so, making memorial contributions in Linda’s memory to Oblong Elementary School.
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