(1954 Graduate Of Bryan High School)
Linda Ames Freed, 87 years of Bryan, passed away Thursday, August 8, 2024, at Bryan Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Bryan.
Linda was born September 22, 1936, in Bryan, Ohio, the daughter of the late Robert and Mildred (Stevens) Weaver. She was a 1954 graduate of Bryan High School.
She married Lyle J. Freed on September 1, 1956, in Bryan, and he preceded her in death on January 31, 2018. She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, Bryan.
Linda began her 40-year career with the Bryan Times in 1966, starting out in the advertising department. From there she moved into the editorial department as social director from 1967 to 1977.
She then worked her way up to managing editor, holding this position from 1977 until 1996. She then served as Bryan Times senior editor from 1996 until her retirement in 2006.
Linda was among the first women editors for UPI (United Press International) in the state of Ohio. Her achievements include several UPI and ONWA (Ohio Newspaper Women’s Association) awards including the highest “triple entry” award from ONWA in 1998.
She also received the Athena Award for career women from the Bryan Chamber of Commerce in 1990. Upon retirement, Linda received a tribute and special recognition from United States Representative Paul E. Gilmor for Journalistic integrity and service to her community.
Many will remember reading Linda’s weekly column in the Bryan Times. Early in her career she began writing the column, originally titled “Thoughts from Under the Dryer” The title was later changed to “Thoughts from LF.”
She used everyday life experiences as subject matter, often giving her thoughts on being a wife and mother. As years went by, she dropped the titles, but continued to write the weekly column until her retirement.
Linda enjoyed traveling, cooking, and curling up with a good book. She loved the town of Bryan and The Ohio State Buckeyes. Most important to her though was family.
She was happiest when spending time with one or all of them and loved attending any event involving her grandchildren. Linda has left a lifetime of wonderful memories for family and friends. She is loved and will be missed.
Surviving is her two sons, David (Linda) Freed of Edon, Ohio and Douglas (Tina) Freed of Lakewood, Colorado; seven grandchildren, Dillon Freed and Dalton Freed, both of West Palm Beach, Florida, Cassi (Charlie) Vojta, of Durango, Colorado, Tanya (Braden) Hirsch of Littleton, Colorado, and Kalie Freed of Fort Collins, Colorado, Jeremy Cape of Bryan, and Justin Cape of Jonesville, Michigan; four great grandchildren. Jakeb and Leilana Vojta, Elijah Evans, and Julian Cape.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Lyle and her brother and sister-in-law, Tony, and Alma Weaver.
Memorial Services for Linda J. Freed will be held 12:00 p.m., Friday, September 6, 2024, in the Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home, 206 North Lynn Street, Bryan, with Reverend Steve Rath officiating. Interment will follow in Fountain Grove Cemetery, Bryan. The family will receive relatives and friends one hour prior to the service, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Friday.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions be made to Williams County Humane Society, 09464 County Road 13, Bryan, Ohio 43506, or Alzheimer’s Association – Northwest Ohio Chapter, 2500 North Reynolds Road, Toledo, Ohio 43615.
Condolences may be sent to the family, or the online guest book may be signed at www.oberlinturnbull.com.