Linda J. Wylder

Linda J. Wylder died on Sunday, April 13, in Westland, MI. She was 76 years old. Linda spent her childhood in Wood River, Illinois, and graduated from East Alton-Wood River High School. 

Linda earned her Bachelor of Arts from Southern Illinois University and her Master of Arts in Speech and Dramatic Arts from the University of Missouri. Linda loved theatre and acting; she had a great stage presence. Known as “legs” during her acting days, she performed alongside actors such as Gary Busey and Chris Cooper. During that time, she also met her husband, David Jorns, who taught theater at the University of Missouri. They were married for seventeen years. Linda held many jobs and roles throughout her life but always returned to academic advising for university students. For over a decade, she worked as an academic advisor at the business school at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida. 

Linda lived all over the country and in Japan. Each place she lived, she made friends quickly with her great sense of humor and big personality. She loved to make people laugh. Exceptionally bright, Linda was a voracious reader, a devout listener of NPR, and a frequent theatre goer. She loved Russian literature and theater and studied the Russian language throughout her life. Linda’s deep faith was a strong support and solace for her. 

If asked, Linda would tell you that her proudest accomplishment was her two children. She was a devoted and loving mother who always put her children first.  Linda is survived by her two children, Amalia Jorns of Concord, Massachusetts, and Benjamin Jorns of Ann Arbor, Michigan; their spouses, Jefferson Clarke and Jenna Jorns; and her four grandchildren, Cecilia and Elise Clarke and Calvin and Cassandra Jorns. She was predeceased by her parents, Richard and Lois Wylder, and will be buried beside them in Greenfield, Illinois.

The family held a private memorial service for Linda. To anyone who would like to honor her memory, the family requests that donations be made in her name to the Alzheimer's Association.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Linda J. Wylder, please visit our floral store.