Linda Joyce (White) Wagonmaker, 73 died peacefully on May 25, 2019 after a wonderful life filled with love and family. Linda was the devoted and supportive wife of more than 50 years to Scott Ka Wagonmaker, who survives. She was the proud mother of Jennifer (Dominic) Dale and Ryan (James) Caldwell and the loving grandmother to Joshua (Hannah) Dale, Army Sgt.
David “Austin” Dale, Carlos Clark and Jacob, Cloee and Lydia Caldwell. She was the daughter of Karl and Ruth (Skinner) White, and the sister of Joann (Ken) Eddy and Jeanne (Paul) Salisbury. Her other family members she treasured included: Brother-in-law Rodney (Shelby) Wagonmaker, sister-in-law Bobbi Wagonmaker and nieces and nephews: Deneen (Brian) Lindberg, Ken Eddy, Paul (Chris) Eddy, Mike (Gina) Salisbury, Kyle Salisbury, Kristie Hogmire, Leesa Rosenbaum, James (Ann) Rosenbaum, Sheri Masters, Jodi Wagonmaker, Jeff (Christel) Wagonmaker and many grandnieces and nephews, and even a few great grand nieces and nephews.
Born and raised in the Kalamazoo area, Linda spent most of her adult life in retail management, raising her daughters and running an antiques business with Scott. Wagon Wheel Antiques started out as hobby for Scott and Linda, and with their combined talents of refinishing and displaying kitchen cabinets, tables, boxes and trunks it quickly turned into a business, which had them participating in and running antiques shows in and around Michigan. That love for the craft continued as the founders and promoters of the annual Lawton Lions Antiques Fair held for many years in their hometown of Lawton.
Their commitment to the Lawton Lions continued, so much for Linda that upon retirement from Jewel Food Stores in 1990 she became the Director of the Lawton Lions Community Center, where she remained until her retirement in 2005. Her dedication to the Lions and the Community Center was honored when she was awarded the Melvin Jones Award (the highest honor given in the service organization) the only non-member of the Lawton Lions Club to receive the award. Scott and Linda moved from Lawton in 2006 but came back regularly to spend time with their younger grandchildren, Jacob, Cloee and her namesake Lydia Joy Caldwell.
You could quite often see them at community and school events, supporting the next generation. Their love for the small town drew them back to Lawton in 2017 to be closer to their younger daughter, Ryan and her family. Linda married Scott on September 30, 1966.
“Never a dull moment with Scott around” was a phrase Linda repeated often; and it was true. They traveled together when they both retired, enjoyed going to auctions to search for that next treasure and meeting life-long friends through the antiques business. But her greatest pride and joy was her family, and in particular her daughters Jennie and Ryan.
She was their biggest supporter and so proud of them. She was blessed in life to watch both her daughters marry the loves of their life (as she did) become mothers and develop into professional and successful women. Jennie and Ryan credit their paths and direction in life because of the role model they had in their mother.
A memorial service and celebration of life is planned for 3pm Tuesday, June 4, in the Great Room of the Lawton Lions Heritage Community Center at 646 N Nursery Street in Lawton, Michigan. The family invites everyone to a luncheon immediately following in the Main Room of the Lawton Lions Heritage Community Center. Memorial contributions can be made to the Lawton Lions Heritage Community Center in honor of Linda.
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