Linda Esterly

Linda Rae Brumhead Esterly was born on August 21st, 1939 to Bryon S. Brumhead and Ruth Esther Claycomb Brumhead in Peoria, IL. She was the oldest of 3 children and is survived by her sister, Phyllis Gregory (husband Roy) and her brother, Douglas Brumhead. Linda was raised in a little railroad town 30 miles south of Peoria in Chillicothe, IL. Her dad worked for the Santa Fe railroad. As a young girl, she had thick, red hair and dimples. Her dad nick-named her Big Red (he was Little Red). At 5’9 ½” she had aspired to be a model as a teenager. Linda met and married her first husband, Frank Jurkovich in Chillicothe, IL. They moved to California and started a family of 3 children, Lesa Stiger of OK, David Jurkovich of FL, and Cheryl Damon (husband Archie) of TX. Linda was an art major at USC before she became a full-time mom. From CA, Linda and her 3 children moved to Ft. Lauderdale, FL where she met and married George Esterly in 1976. In 1977 they moved to Dallas, TX into their new home on Lake Gardens Drive. They had two sons, Timothy Esterly (wife Natalie) and Stephen Esterly, both of TX. Linda’s main priorities in her life were her faith in God, her family and friends, and her work. She was a very talented artist and had an eye for interior design and floral arrangements. Linda was very creative and loved to make things. Her latest creative works involved glass art which is displayed throughout her home. But the main thing she would want to be remembered for is her faith in God that she shared with her family and friends on a regular basis. She encouraged everyone to trust in the Lord and pray regularly. She frequently quoted encouraging verses or favorite scriptures to help others through their difficult times. She was the one everyone turned to when they needed advice or comfort. Her beautiful life was cut short by Leukemia which robbed her of her vitality and her zest for living. In addition to Linda’s five children, she was a grandmother of 10 (ages 4 to 38) and great-grandmother of 3 (ages 1 to 17). Linda is survived by her husband, George Esterly, her siblings and all her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.