WILHELM - BURNS, Linda Carol

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ November 14, 2008 Linda Carol Gore Wilhelm Burns, 63, loving wife, mother,and grandmother died at her home Nov. 10, 2008. Her loving presence will be missed forever. Linda was born April 21, 1945, in Lodi, Calif. She is survived by her husband, James H. Burns, and eight of her children, Sonia (Don) Carroll, Vaughn (Tifany) Wilhelm, Kurt (Becky) Wilhelm, Shanie (Ed) Janes, Kathi (Kurt) Hausmann, Diane (Bill) Ritman, Todd (Karina) Wilhelm, and Mark (Megan) Wilhelm. She is also survived by 25 grandchildren, her brother, Alan L. Gore, and her first husband, H. LaVerl Wilhelm. She was preceeded by her son, Craig Wilhelm, mother Stella New Gore and father Olie Gore. She spent the early years of her life in Calif., Vinita, Okla., and Tempe, where she graduated from Tempe High School. She was baptized into the LDS (Mormon) church as a teenager. Both parents, and her brother were subsequently baptized. She held many callings in her church, including Relief Society President, and many callings in Sunday School and Primary. With her young family, she lived in Mesa and Safford and in Provo, Utah, and then lived for nearly 30 years in St. Johns, where she raised nine children, who loved her dearly and miss her deeply. Linda was a perfect mother who made all of her children feel so special, because her ability to love was unrivaled. Her testimony of Jesus Christ affected the lives of many, and her Christ, like life was an example to all who knew her, including her 25 grandchildren, to whom she devoted so much time and love in her later years. Her beautiful, contagious laugh brought so much joy to everyone, and her ability to listen, soothe and motivate will always be treasured. She spent the last happy years of her life in Apache, Junction, where she could be near her children and grandchildren with her best friend and cheerful husband Jim Burns, whose ability to make her laugh and care for her brought her so much contented happiness. Phoenix area services will be held Friday, Nov. 14, at 12 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints building at Ironwood Dr. and 16th Ave. St. Johns services will be held Saturday Nov. 15, at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Stake Center. Viewings will be held an hour before each service.