Linda Lou Gearhart, 77, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Colorado Springs, Colo.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Gerald Gearhart.

Linda grew up in rural Bluffton. She graduated from Lancaster Central High School and earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education at the University of Indianapolis.

Linda was dedicated to her Christian faith and led a life of service through many ministries in both the United States and abroad. A kind, smiling, and gentle person, she blessed the lives of the people she met.

Surviving are four children, Andrea (Matt) Miller of Musanze, Rwanda; Anna Lisa (Morgan) Bowden of Roseburg, Oregon; Angelina (Michael) Byron of Monument, Colo.; and Andrew (Veronica) Gearhart of Colorado Springs. She treasured her 14 grandchildren, ages 2 through 24. She leaves behind three sisters, Sally Gomez of Fort Wayne, Nancy  Gerber of Ossian,  and Terri (Gary) Worden of Brownsburg, Ind.

She was born May 14, 1945, to Dwight and Dorothy Shady in Bluffton.

A celebration of Linda’s life will be held at 4:30 p.m. (MDT) Friday, Oct. 21, at the Eastside Church of Christ, 5905 Flintridge Drive, Colorado Springs. Further information is available at everloved.com, “Linda Lou Gearhart.”

Linda  supported two beloved ministries. Donations may be made in her memory at “Let’s Start Talking,” https://everloved.com/life-of/linda-gearhart and Virunga Valley Academy at https//pushpay.com/g/homewoodchurch (select “VVA in memory of Linda Gearhart from the drop-down menu).