Linda D. Wyant

Linda Wyant was a woman of great strength, and even greater love. She loved to scoop her kids up in her arms, holding them closely, warmly and lovingly. She held her whole family so close, though, close to her heart, and first in her thoughts. More than anything else, Linda was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother, whose love lives on in her family today. Lindas story began on a beautiful spring day in 1952, after the flowers had bloomed in Muskegon, Michigan. Those were turbulent times in this country, which battled the Korean War overseas, and the Cold War and the Red Scare here at home. Yet on May 20, 1952, Allen and Dorothy (Bylsma) Anderson found a reason to celebrate, with the birth of a beautiful baby girl, a daughter they named Linda. Linda was the middle child of five in the familys home, joining her older brothers Larry and Dennis, and her little sisters Debbie and Brenda. Lindas dad was a hardworking plumber in Muskegon, while her mother cared for the family and the home. Being the first born daughter, Linda was always daddys little girl, and remained very close to him her whole life. During the early years of her marriage she had a dirt bike in which she enjoyed riding with other friends who also owned dirt bikes. She also attended the Free Methodist Church where she enjoyed playing on their softball team. Linda attended Phillips Elementary School as a little girl, before heading off to Muskegon High School. While she was in high school, she also began attending the Daniels School Cosmetology, which she enjoyed more than the subjects she learned in school. She continued work at Daniels Beauty Salon even after she graduated from high school in 1970. Linda found more than a diploma in 1970, though. She also found the love of her life. One night she went to her friend Sandy Brooks house, where she met a handsome young man named John Wyant. Linda was instantly attracted to John, and he couldnt take his eyes off the curvy, curly redhead with the big, blue eyes. The sparks flew between them, and they soon began dating. The happy young couple was married on October 2, 1971, at the Holton Free Methodist Church. After their honeymoon to the Florida Keys, Disney World and Busch Gardens, the newlyweds settled into their new life together in Lindas parents basement. John was busy building his new bride a new home in Holton, and they moved there in 1972. It was a beautiful home for them, the place where they would raise their family, and where Linda would live the rest of her life. The couple was blessed with two terrific sons, Shawn in 1974, and Jeremy in 1976, who made their parents so happy and proud. John worked for General Tire and eventually worked for the State of Michigan in 1972, while Linda also worked outside the home, using her cosmetology training at Daniels Beauty Salon. When she moved to Holton she worked at a beauty salon with Mrs. Hanke. Eventually she left the styling business to go to work at Howmet Corporation in 1980, as an injection press operator. As hard as she worked, Linda always cared for her family, first and foremost. They did so much together, and every Friday night Linda and John sat down and watched The Dukes of Hazzard with their boys on TV. Linda would scoop up one son on her lap, and John would scoop up the other, holding them close and watching their favorite show together. The next week, theyd switch kids! On Sundays, the family packed in the car and went to the Free Methodist Church together, where Linda started going right after they were married there. Linda was also very close with her parents, her brothers and sisters and their families, too, and they all got together very often. Sadly, Linda suffered the loss of her sister Debbie to cancer, which was so difficult for her, as they were especially close, and her dad died later on, another very challenging time for her. Yet she persevered, always so strong, always the support system for her family. Lindas strength was tested again in 1997, when she suffered a terrible accident, falling into a garage pit and breaking her back. She overcame this challenge, buoyed by the birth of her first grandchild, Montanna. Linda loved all of her grandkids, and spoiled them even more than she spoiled her own kids. She loved nothing more in the world than having her sons and grandchildren close to her, who always brightened her days. Linda always loved attending her boys and grandkids sporting events and other school activities. She was very proud of all their accomplishments and would let anyone know who was willing to listen. Linda had other things she loved in life, especially being outside. She always enjoyed camping and spending time with her family doing so. She always loved the outdoors, whether it was walking in the woods, or tending to her beautiful garden and flowerbeds around her home. Most of all, Linda loved being at home, surrounded by her loving family. She was a strong, and strong-willed woman, the true matriarch of the family, whose strength was matched only by her love for them all. Sadly, Linda died on Tuesday, January 8, 2008, at the age of 55. Linda was such a wonderful woman, whose family was foremost in her life, and her heart. She supported them in every way she could, a hard-working, determined lady who inspired all those around her. More than anything, Linda was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother, whose love and life lives on in them today. She will be so greatly missed. Linda is survived by her husband, John; 2 sons, Shawn Wyant of Waterford, MI & Jeremy Wyant of Holton; 3 grandchildren, Montanna, Draven & Phenix Grace; mother, Dorothy Anderson of Muskegon; 2 brothers, Larry (Carol) Anderson of Muskegon & Dennis (Sharon) Anderson of Muskegon; 1 sister, Brenda (Bill) Basta of Montague; several nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Allen & a sister Debbie Wolfis. Services are scheduled for Friday, January 11, 2008, 11:00 AM at Holton United Methodist Church with Rev. Jerry Selleck officiating. Interment at Holton Cemetery. Visitation is Thursday, 2-4 & 6-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to the Holton United Methodist Church. To share a memory or photo of Linda, or to sign her guestbook, visit her Memory Page at www.lifestorynet.com.