Linda Viola Leedom Knicely, 82, of Zanesville, Ohio peacefully went to be with her Lord and

Savior on December 29, 2020 after a 12 year battle with Alzheimer ’s disease.  Born on March 20, 1938, she was the oldest daughter of T. Everett and Verna (Smitley) Leedom.  She was a life-long resident of Muskingum County.

Linda was a 1956 graduate of Chandlersville High School.  She went on to graduate from the Bethesda School of Nursing in...

Linda Viola Leedom Knicely, 82, of Zanesville, Ohio peacefully went to be with her Lord and

Savior on December 29, 2020 after a 12 year battle with Alzheimer ’s disease.  Born on March 20, 1938, she was the oldest daughter of T. Everett and Verna (Smitley) Leedom.  She was a life-long resident of Muskingum County.

Linda was a 1956 graduate of Chandlersville High School.  She went on to graduate from the Bethesda School of Nursing in Zanesville.  She married her husband, Donald, on March 24, 1961 and they lived in the Adamsville community for the next 40 years.  In addition to spending her life as a loving wife and mother, she served as a Registered Nurse in different areas including pediatrics at Bethesda Hospital, a local doctor’s office, Adams Lane Nursing Home, and then retired from the Muskingum County Health Department where she worked as a home health nurse.  Until her illness, Linda was an active member of Westwood Baptist Church, The Gideon’s International Auxiliary, and Adamsville Homemakers.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Donald; three daughters, Ruth of Bradley, WV, Karen (Bob) Wright of Mesa, AZ, and Darla (Randy) Claffey of Pataskala; two grandsons, Blaine and Kendrick Claffey of Pataskala; sister, Donna Smith of Tyler, TX; brother, John (Carol) Leedom of Norwich; sisters-in-law Bonnie Knicely and Connie Knicely; brother-in-law Phil Mantooth, and numerous nieces, nephews, and loved ones.

In addition to her parents, Linda was preceded in death by her sister, Bonnie Mantooth, brother, Robert “Bobby” Leedom and step-mother Florence Leedom.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of The Shinnick Center in the Helen Purcell Home for the loving care given to Linda during her final two years of life.

Due to Covid19 restrictions, there will be no public calling hours or services.  A private graveside service will be held for immediate family at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, New Concord, OH.  A celebration of Linda’s life will be held at a later date.  The Farus Funeral Home of New Concord is caring for the Knicely family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to The Gideons International, PO Box 3062, Zanesville, OH 43702 or Helen Purcell Home, 1854 Norwood Blvd.,  Zanesville, OH 43701.