Linda Hagan Beeler, 101, a longtime resident of the Hardin County farming community near Glendale, died peacefully Friday, June 1, 2018, in Chicago, where she had lived for the past 10 years.

The daughter of Virgil G. and Elizabeth Hite Hagan, she was born Dec. 8, 1916, in Bardstown. After graduating from Bethlehem Academy High School near Cecilia, she attended Nazareth College now Bellarmine University in Louisville with a full academic scholarship, receiving her BA Degree in History in 1938. Following graduation, she accepted a position as secretary with The Seagram Company, Ltd at its Kentucky headquarters in Louisville.

She married Eugene W. Beeler at Holy Name Church, Louisville, on May 28, 1941, moving to Nicholasville, where Eugene was employed as The Kroger Company's local store manager. Descended from a long line of Beelers who farmed near Glendale, Eugene returned to the family farm in 1943, where he and Linda remained for the next 65 years.  Together they owned and operated a successful grain and livestock operation. She also served as organist and catechism teacher for 20 years at St. Ignatius Church near Harcourt.

In 1965 Linda began a new career as secretary to the director of the nursing program at Elizabethtown Community College. After retiring in 1980, she and her husband enjoyed many fulfilling years that included travel throughout the United States and Europe, numerous hobbies and time spent with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

After a marriage of nearly 70 years, Eugene passed away at the age of 95 on May 3, 2011. Also preceding Linda in death were their son, Marc Evan Beeler; her parents; her brother, Howlett G "Bud" Hagan; and her stepmother, Margaret Emerson Hagan.

She is survived by two children, a daughter, Melanie Wank and husband George of Palm Desert, California; and a son, Eugene W Beeler Jr. and partner Carolyn Kitty of Des Plaines, Illinois; four grandchildren, Alexander Beeler and wife Ruth; Dr Margaret Beeler Stefani and husband Jay of Cary Illinois, Elizabeth Beeler Boyle and husband Peter of Evanston Illinois and Veronica Beeler of Los Angeles, California; and eight great-grandchildren, Linda, Juliana, Mary and Alexander Beeler Jr., Blythe and Clark Stefani and Daniel and Mitchell Boyle.

Funeral services have been held.

Expressions of sympathy, the family suggests that contributions be made to any of the following, Marc Evan Beeler Journalism Endowment, care of Institutional Advancement, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, 600 College Street Road, Elizabethtown, KY 42701 or Norwood Life Care Foundation, 6016-20 N. Nina Ave., Chicago, IL 60631-2410 or Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care – Foundation, P.O. Box 74008824, Chicago, IL 60674-8824

Kolbus-John V. May Funeral Home in Chicago handled the arrangements.

Condolences may be expressed at www.kolbusmayfh.com .