Linda L. Feurer

Linda Lou Feurer, 81, of Lacon Illinois, died on August 24, 2023 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Born on February 1, 1942 to the late Lester and Lucile (Hargadine) Streitmatter, she Married James Feurer on June 5, 1965 in LaSalle. Animal Jim Feurer survives.

Linda is survived by her daughter Jacqueline (Doug) Fennell of Chillicothe Illinois; Grandchildren Colin (Michelle) Fennell of Chillicothe, Madeline Fennell of Chillicothe, great grandchild Cillian Thomas Fennell; nephew John (Valarie) Wiltse and their children Sharra (Jesse) Rock & Jeremy Wiltse. She was also preceded in death by her granddaughter Claire Fennell; Sister Sue Mielke, brother Robert Streitmatter; and great nephew Loren Wiltse.

Linda was a teacher through and through. Educating three generations of children in the Lacon, Varna, and Sparland, Illinois school disricts. She started her career with a year at Spring Valley and another at Utica before coming to Mid County in 1968, staying a full-time teacher through the transition to Midland, retiring in 2003. But for Linda retirement meant she could substitute teach, and that she did, from 2003 until just days before her passing. She substituted for Midland, Henry, Chillicothe, Saint Edwards, Mossville, and Putnam County school districts, educating a fourth generation of students in the area.   On the side, Linda spent time working at Pearce Community Center in Chillicothe, was on the Lacon library board and head librarian for a while, she even spent a season working at Tanner’s making donuts.

Another side of Linda was as the wife of Nation Champion drag Racer Animal Jim Feurer. “Mrs. Animal” was the backbone and catalyst for her husband’s racing team. Linda maintained the financial and business side of Racing. From paying the bills, seeking sponsors, and loans to finally creating a line of fan clothing for the team called Animal Wear, Linda kept the racing machine fueled with the support it needed to perform.

Visitation for Linda will be held on Tuesday, August 29 from 4 to 6 PM at Lenz Memorial Home in Lacon with a private family service held on Wednesday. Burial will be in Prospect Cemetery near Dunlap Illinois. Memorials can be made to St. Jude, and online condolences can be left at lenzmemorialhome.com