Linda Lou Winegardner

The family of Linda Lou Winegardner, 78 of Mount Vernon, OH, is grieving the loss of their beloved grandmother, mother, and sister, who passed away on Tuesday November 21, 2023 as she was surrounded by her loved ones.

Linda brought strength, compassion, hard work, humor, and a dash of sass to everything she did. Linda adored her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and her late husband Larry D. Winegardner; her family adored her just as much. Linda was a humble woman who deeply cherished her family and the time spent on her property post-retirement. Linda had many talents, was well-versed in several trades, was an avid gardener, and the (our) world's best grandma.

Linda was born on June 11, 1945, in Danville, OH, the daughter of the late Robert Mizer, and Florence Molly (McFarland) Mizer. She grew up in Danville, OH, where she was raised on the family’s Mizer Dairy Farm, played on Danville’s High School inaugural women's basketball team.

After life on the Mizer Dairy Farm, Linda worked for Chattanooga Glass for 20 years and in Juvenile Correction for 18 years, retiring in 2005.  Linda then had three children, Jeffrey A. Mizer (Angela), Tika (John Masters) Valrance, Andrea Zachary, and step son Nathan (Rachel) Winegardner.  During this time, she met the love of her life, her husband, the late Larry Winegardner. Linda and Larry met in Mount Vernon, OH. They married on August 15, 1993, and together they blended their families. They were married until his death on December 19, 2010.  They enjoyed many vacations spent in the South and watching NASCAR races.

Linda overcame many obstacles in life, always working hard to provide for her family, and survived two cancers. She always had an open heart, an open mind, open hands, and open doors to helping others. She loved cheering on Dale Earnhardt, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Linda loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Together they spent many years making many memories; attending sporting events and watching her Buckeyes, picking apples, feeding hummingbirds, taking care of the steer, harvesting and canning vegetables, baking fresh loaves of bread, learning to drive on tractors, mowing the lawn, playing games, swinging on the tire swing under the old oak, making and eating lots of cookies, sharing so many celebrations, and spending the holidays on her beloved property, which was always home to all of her family.

Linda is survived by her children, 12 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; brother Bill Mizer, sisters Nancy Pursel, Carol Enderby, and Pamela Morris. She was proceeded in death by her father Robert Mizer, mother Florence Molly Mizer, brother Bob Mizer and husband Larry Winegardner.

Friends may call Monday from 3 pm to 5 pm at Roberts Funeral Home-Mount Vernon Chapel.  Funeral services will follow at 5 pm at the funeral home.  Burial will be at Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens.   Online tributes may be made at www.RobertsFuneralHome.com.   Memorial contributions may be made to local Veterans associations and the ASPCA, (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).