Linda C. (Craig – Phillips) Pidgeon, 80, of Houghton, Iowa, formerly of Galesburg, Illinois, passed away at 5:00 a.m. Saturday, December 21, 2024, at the Marigold Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Galesburg.
She was born on July 4, 1944, in Kewanee, Illinois, the daughter of Harry Dean and Betty (Broadfield) Craig. Linda graduated from Galesburg High School on June 8, 1962. She then graduated from Humbolt University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. On June 8, 1963, she married George E. “Ed” Phillips. They became the parents of Jeffery Ray Phillips on June 8, 1964 and Michael Dean Phillips on December 5, 1968.
June 8th became a special date for her as she graduated on June 8, 1962, was married on June 8, 1963 and their son, Jeff, was born on June 8, 1964.
As their boys grew older and joined the Cub and Boy Scouts, she helped her husband with with his Cub and Boy Scout troops. She drove the scouts to day camp and spent the day with them until it was over and drove them back. Linda was very devoted to her boys. She was room mother for them both through grade school. She always baked special cookies on Halloween. Her boys, grandkids and great grandkids had fun helping bake and decorate the cookies which was a tradition since Jeff was in Kindergarten. Linda was sure the kids in school remember her cookies since she took them to their school every year that she was room mother.
After finishing school, she married her high school sweetheart Ed Phillips. They were married thirty – three years before divorcing. Linda managed West Central Illinois Credit Union for twenty years, then worked at Mel Foster Realty and Cottage Rehab and Sports Medicine. She was active in the Knox County Republican Women, serving as president for a term. She enjoyed her flowers and worked hard to keep them looking great. She and her daughter-in-law, Tammy, belonged to the Prairie Land Garden Club in Galesburg. They always enjoyed finding a plant sale and telling each other where the sale was. A spot was always found for another flower.
On June 29, 2007, She married Bill Pidgeon and moved to Houghton, Iowa. She always said he was a “saint”, a very great guy.
She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority in Fort Madison, Iowa. She also enjoyed going to Sunshine Girls Coffee group when her health allowed. She volunteered in the Diabetes Education Department at Henry County Hospital in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Linda collected Hallmark Christmas ornaments and had one that dated back to 1978 (when her son, Mike began giving her ornaments every year for Christmas). She continued the tradition by giving her grandchildren and great grandchildren an ornament each year. She also collected Boyds Bears, Willow Tree and Isabel Bloom pieces. Linda was a member of the Covenant Church in Galesburg. She was an animal lover, and was especially fond of her two kitty cats: Bitsy Boo and Toby. Most of all she loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. They filled an empty spot in her heart left from missing her oldest son, Jeff, whom passed away in 2015. This took a big toll on her as they had a special relationship and talked everyday. The little ones were her world. She always went back to Galesburg to see them every Friday.
Linda is survived by her husband: Bill; youngest son: Michael Dean (Tammy) Phillips of Galesburg, Illinois; three grandchildren: Brandon Craig (Beth) Phillips of New Windsor, Illinois (who was born on her birthday), Brianna Nicole (Logan) Purcell and Bailey Elizabeth Phillips both of Galesburg, Illinois; and her precious great grandchildren: Emma, Brayden, Evalynn and Eleanor Phillips, Rylan and Bennett Purcell and Niko Alvarado. Also surviving is her step-daughter: Kim(DeWayne) Pidgeon – Futrell of Bull Head City, Arizona, and Kims’ children: Nolan, Sophie and Audrey Riley and step-granddaughters: Kayla and Keelin Pidgeon (Chris Pidgeon’s children).
She was preceded in death by her parents; son: Jeffery; daughter-in-law: Jane Phillips; Bill’s son: Chris Pidgeon and her ex-husband: Ed.
A visitation will be held from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. Thursday, December 26, 2024, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point, where the family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
A visitation will also be held where the family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Friday, December 27, 2024, at the Covenant Church in Galesburg, Illinois (665 West Dayton Street, Galesburg, Illinois).
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon, Friday, December 27, 2024, at the Covenant Church in Galesburg.
Burial will be at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Galesburg.
Memorials have been established in her memory for Covenant Church, the Knox County Humane Service or Guardian Angels.
Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
