It is Easter and it is the perfect time to think about the last conversations we had with people in our lives. As I was thinking about preparing this post, I thought about two of the last conversations that I had with cousins, whom I did not know were dying. I wasn’t paying attention. I thought about my parents and my husband’s passing, containing so much confusion and grief, that I did not remember much about those conversations. And then I thought about my last conversation with our classmate, Janet Elaine Merrick. Janet had called to tell me that she was dying of cancer and wanted to have the last conversation. Although I do not remember the details of that conversation, I certainly remember her taking the initiative to call and tell me that it would be our last.

So, this month’s post for the Penn Class of 65 Blog will be to think about our last conversations with two of our classmates who have passed away in the last year, Linda Fuller Lindahl and Bill Doty. Both classmates had signed up to attend our class reunion in August of 2021. Bill did arrive and I am sure he connected with many of the 60 attendees that evening. Linda did not arrive.

I later learned from Linda’s son, Stanley, that Linda and her husband were involved in an automobile accident on the way to the reunion.  Linda had been extremely excited about the reunion and was looking forward to reconnecting with classmates. Her son told me that she lived for a couple of weeks after the accident but then passed away from her injuries. Linda’s husband survived and is now in a nursing home. I am glad that Stanley shared this information with me, as I would not have known.

Bill Doty was a classmate of mine starting early at Elm Road School. Once we got to Penn, I never saw him. Our high school was large enough, that we tended to know the people with whom we had common interests, i.e., sports, music, theater, science, business, languages, or practical things, like shop. However, Doug Jaques and Nile Thompson knew Bill well and attended his final celebration of life. I am sure they would be happy to share what they learned there.

You may be interested to read Linda and Bill’s obituaries, shared by family members. At the risk of seeming highbrow, I want to share a perspective on our “last conversations.”  The poet Rainer Maria Wilke was quoted as saying, “A person isn’t who they are during the last conversation had with them-they’re who they’ve been throughout your whole relationship.”

Our relationships with these classmates have covered many years. May you remember your relationships with Bill and Linda with joy!

ELKHART-William “Bill” H. Doty Jr., 74, passed away peacefully on February 28, 2022, surrounded by his family at his home.  He was born April 27, 1947, in Mishawaka to the late William & Abbie (Basham) Doty.

  Surviving are 3 children, Rachel (Phil Hahn II) Owen, Jill (Greg) Gregory, Carl Doty, and 3 granddaughters.  Also surviving is a sister, Kathy Mahler, brother, Tom Doty and his significant other Sheila Neff.

  Bill graduated from Penn High School in 1965 and joined the U.S. Army where he proudly served in the Vietnam War.  While in the Army earned the honor of becoming a double Purple Heart recipient. He and his business partner, Larry opened Land Auto Sales in 1970 and operated it for almost 4 decades.  He enjoyed horseback riding, camping, fishing, hiking, collecting tractors, tinkering with equipment and going to the casino.  Every Wednesday Bill would meet his Vietnam friends for coffee and to solve the problems of the world.  Bill was very outgoing, with a wonderful personality, a great sense of humor and he remained ornery until the end.  He truly never met a stranger and was an amazing person in general; his friends and family will truly miss him. 

  A celebration of life gathering was held Sunday, March 13, 2022, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the V.F.W. Post #360 in Mishawaka. 

  Memorial contributions may be given to Heartland Hospice.

  Elkhart Cremation Services was entrusted with the arrangements.

Mishawaka – Linda Marie (Fuller) Lindahl, 74 years old, passed away Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend. She was born November 1, 1946 in Mishawaka to the late Roy Lee and Claire Louise (Fordyce) Fuller. On April 8, 1972 in Mishawaka, Linda married John Charles Lindahl, who survives.

Linda loved to travel. She recently became a travel agent and was able to fulfill that desire. She traveled to the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, and many other locations. She also had a passion to collect different trinkets from all her destinations. She collected post cards, lighthouses, and even salt and pepper shakers. Linda also loved animals of all kinds – especially her own dog, Zachary.

Along with her husband, John, Linda is survived by her sons, Stanley Roy (David Chiang) Lindahl of Elk Grove, CA and Stephen Ray (Maria) Lindahl of Azle, TX; three grandchildren, Joshua Cole Madden, Tatum Rai Lindahl, and Samuel Lee Lindahl; and a sister, Kay Carmichael of Bloomfield, IN. Linda is also survived by her beloved dog, Zachary. Linda was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Lorrie Marie; and her brother, Donald Lee Fuller.

Per Linda and the family’s wishes, there were no services. Palmer Funeral Homes-Bubb Chapel and Southlawn Cremation Services assisted the family with arrangements.

Memorial donations may be made in honor of Linda Marie (Fuller) Lindahl to the ASPCA, PO Box 96929, Washington, DC 20090-6929. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com