Obituary of Linda Lou Van Gorder

Linda Lou Van Gorder (Calkins), 74, entered into eternal life on December 15, 2021 surrounded by her loving family. registered nurse who had a gift for serving others. She was born on May 25, 1947 to Kenneth and Charlotte Calkins.

Linda attended Lake Lehman High School. After raising her family, she attended Luzerne County Community College and completed her degree in nursing (R.N.) being pinned on her 50th birthday. Upon graduating, she worked in the labor and delivery unit for many years at Tyler Memorial Hospital before joining Heartland Home Health in the latter part of her career.

Linda had a passion to serve others and often did so through her faith. She was a lifetime member of Lehman Idetown UMC. There she was often seen singing in the choir, teaching bible school, and could not be missed making pasties. She was also a part of the church’s women’s group where she met many lifelong friends.

In her spare time, her favorite activity was to craft. She was affectionately known as the “craft queen” by her dear friends and family. She was a member of the Bloomingdale quilters.

Linda handled many health issues with grace. Namely, she had her leg amputated, acquiring the nickname “Peggy” within her immediate family. Linda also had a fabulous sense of humor laughing even at the hardest of times.

Linda loved to spend time with her family, notably her children and grandchildren. Linda was preceded in death by her parents, and brother Kenneth (Kim) Calkins. She is survived by her loving and devout husband of 48 years, Robert L. Van Gorder (78), brother Randy Calkins and his wife Millie of West Virginia, and sister Judy Brown of Dallas, sons Matthew Van Gorder of Harvey’s Lake, Christopher Van Gorder of Dallas, and Robert Jr. and Michelle Van Gorder of Plains, daughter Alicen and husband Reo Cheshire of Dallas, and step-daughter Michelle VanGorder of Scranton. She is also survived by several grandchildren, nieces, and nephews who she loved to spend time with. She will be greatly missed by them and so many more. She was a light in their world.

The family would like to thank the staff at Geisinger WV and the hospice aides and nurses from Residential Healthcare.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, July 9, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Francis Slocum State Park, Pavilion 3, 567 Mt. Olivet Road, Wyoming PA 18644, with Pastor Laura Kyler, Lehman-Idetown United Methodist Church officiating. The family encourages all those attending to bring seating for the event.

Arrangements are by the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home, Inc., corner of routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her memory to Sky Lake Camp and Retreat Center, 501 William Law Rd., Windsor, NY 13865 or the Lehman-Idetown United Methodist Church, PO Box 1, Lehman, PA 18627.

Online condolences can be made at clswansonfuneralhome.com