Gladys Willits

Linda Willits, aka Gladys Rolinda Willits, 67, of Andalusia, IL. passed away on May 24, 2023, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Linda was surrounded by the love of her family and best friend Liz Toland. Celebration of Life will be held June 10, 2023, from 10AM-1PM at Moline Church of Christ, 4800 38th Ave, Moline, IL.

Linda was born April 9, 1956, in Killeen, TX. Linda was the daughter of Jerry & Donna (Phillips) McIntosh. Linda attended UTHS but went on to pursue her GED. It was always Linda’s dream to have a big family of her own, filled with lots of kids and grandkids. With a big family that consisted of 7 children, 29 grandchildren (spouses included), and 7 great grandchildren, that meant lots of family time. The family time included lots of family vacations, playing board games, such as her favorite game Family Feud, and making plenty of fun filled family memories.

Linda’s other hobbies included collecting dairy cow themed pieces and sewing. Linda had a great love for dairy cows and some have even heard her say “cow is my favorite color”. Linda’s cow collection was so popular to family and friends they made their TV debut on KWQC Fran Riley segment that ran on November 3, 2017.

At the age of 29, Linda was diagnosed with a rare lung condition. Which led to her needing a lung transplant, on January 4, 2015 at the age of 58, and is an 8-year lung transplant survivor.

After the lung transplant, Linda was able to find happiness again when she reconnected with longtime friend Eddie Shoemaker, the two started dating shortly after, and got engaged in 2020. The couple have been together for 4 years and enjoying their blended family. For Linda, this added 2 daughters, 3 grandchildren, and other in-laws that they would visit and make memories with often.

Linda is survived by her mother Donna (Bob) Phillips, her sister Debbie (Bob) Lofgren, brother Paul McIntosh, her children Lena (John) Downing, Linda (Rusty) Hocker, LeAnn (Edward) Ford, Neal Bullock, Dale (Jacobi) Willits, Krystal (Brad) Foster, her grandchildren Lindsay (Tony) Watt, Kyle (Ann) Hocker, Dustin (Katrina) Downing, Kadance Hocker, Jacob (Jordann) Sperry, Killian Lott, Jayme Vermast, Colin (Stevie) Downing, Dylan Bullock, Jayden Huizenga, Jeremy Huizenga, Johnny Rushman IV, Shea Winters, Savannah Gibson, Ethan Ford, Daytonah Downing, Thomas Bullock, Robert Winters, Star Willits, Lani Foster, Lexy Foster, Noah Foster, Livy Foster, her great grandchildren Jemma Downing, Kennedy Hocker, Madilyn Hocker, Sophie Hocker, Jesse Sperry, Kamryn Hocker, Ace Rushman, her fiancé Eddie Shoemaker, and best friend Liz Toland. Linda is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and many more family and friends.

Linda was preceded in death by father, Jerry McIntosh, her brothers Jerry McIntosh, Kenny McIntosh, her son Jesse Bullock, her grandchildren Jesse Bullock, Nicholas “Nic” Bullock, and her good friend Diane Gosney.

Memorials can be made in the honor of Linda to the Moline Church of Christ.