Linden L. Vanlandingham
Linden L. Vanlandingham, 80, of rural Paris, Mo., passed away Tuesday night, Aug. 9, 2022.
A funeral was held at Agnew Funeral Home in Paris Sunday, Aug.14 with Rev. Larry Thomas, and Clayton Peak officiating. Visitation was at Agnew Funeral Home on Saturday, Aug. 13. Burial was at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Paris.
Linden was born July 21, 1942 at his parents’ home one half mile east of his current home near Santa Fe. He was the son of Orval and Madge Lenhart Vanlandingham.
Linden married Becky Anne Blanton, July 22,1962 at the First Baptist Church in Shelbina. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. She survives at home. Also surviving are a daughter, Lisa (Scott) McWillams, of Amarillo, Texas; a son, Chad (Jennifer) Vanlandingham, of Ladue; four grandchildren, Mathew McWilliams of Chicago, Ill., Megan McWilliams of Rogers, Ark., Lauren Vanlandingham of Oxford, Miss., and Jack Vanlandingham of Columbia; one sister, Linda (Kent) Blades of rural Shelbina; one stepsister Patty Hillard of Paris, Mo.,and several nieces and nephews.
Linden was preceded in death by his parents and his stepmother, Ruth C. Vanlandingham.
The Vanlandinghams own Linden’s grandparents’ original home on Route D, in Monroe County, and spent their marriage farming that property.
A proud graduate of Paris High School, Class of ‘60, Linden was highly involved in community affairs: He was a one-time Jaycee, charter member of Paris Lions and a Rotarian. He served on the boards of the Mexico Rural Electric Cooperative, Central Electric Cooperative of Jefferson City, Farm Bureau State Young Farmers Committee, Monroe County Co-op, Monroe County Planning & Zoning Commission, and Mark Twain Country Club and he is the current president of Little Dixie Regional Library of Monroe and Randolph counties.
Linden was appointed to the Missouri State Air Conservation Commission by Gov. John Ashcroft and Governor Bob Holden appointed him Monroe County public administrator. He also served on the agricultural advisory committees for Senator Tom Eagleton, Congressman Harold Volkmer, Governor Warren Hearnes, and Governor Bob Holden.
Linden and Becky together were avid supporters of 4-H, FFA, active in the Paris United Methodist Church and have represented South Fork Township on the Monroe County Democratic Central Committee for several decades. They are devoted Mizzou Football fans and lifelong Democrats. Linden liked to travel and spend time in Florida each winter.
Linden always believed that you should give back to your community with your time and talents.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Paris Dulaney Library, Michelle Hollingsworth Fund at Regional Missouri Bank, or to Paris United Methodist Church.
