Linda Twining

Linda Carol Twining passed away on December 13, 2015, at Boone Hospital, Columbia, after a courageous struggle with cancer. Lin, as she preferred to be called, was born on July 8, 1952, in Paterson, New Jersey, to Elmer Robert and Mildred Weeks Twining.

She received a B.A. in biology from William Paterson College, and a M.S. in zoology from Rutgers University, both institutions being located in New Jersey. Lin met her husband, Charles F. Gerdes, while both were graduate teaching assistants in biology at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, where she completed her Ph.D. in parasitology.

Lin and Charles were married on August 9, 1981, at McKinley Presbyterian Church, Champaign. Lin was an active member of First Presbyterian Church upon moving to Kirksville in 1981, serving as an elder and on many committees. She was a professor of biology for 33 years at Truman State University, and served in many capacities, such as faculty sponsor for Globe Med and rector of Blanton-Nason Hall.

Lin is survived by her husband; two children, Andrew and Emilie; daughter-in-law, Maura Gerdes D.O.; two grandchildren, Micah and Elise Gerdes; one brother, Robert and sister-in-law, Brenda Twining of Fishers, Indiana; two nieces, Sara and Rebecca, also of Fishers; and one cousin, Sylvia Schoner and husband Robert of Houston, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her parents and step mother, Marilyn Twining.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 17, 2015, at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home with Reverend Carrol Davenport officiating. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery.

Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the

Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home
2100 E. Shepherd Ave.
Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233

Memorials in memory of Lin can be made to the First Presbyterian Church.