Linda Wilker, 61, of Perrysburg, entered heaven on July 17, 2023, and walked right up to God to see how she could help. Before he could answer, Linda presented homemade brownies, a gift card and a newly sewn blanket as gratitude for her blessed life on Earth.

That was Linda. Giving. Loving. Appreciative. If you knew Linda, you were loved by Linda. No matter how your paths crossed, Linda found a way to honor you, help you, touch you. Even when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December 2022, she comforted those around her.

Linda wanted to fight this most evil cancer and felt hopeful during months of chemotherapy. When she went in for Whipple surgery and learned her cancer had spread and she was no longer eligible, she prepared for immunotherapy. Even as the diagnosis became grimmer, she was willing to try any treatment and, in typical Linda fashion, brought gifts and sandwiches to those treating her. "Every day, I see or hear of individuals who are much worse off than me; I must be patient to understand what the plan is. No matter what, I've had a wonderful life," she wrote in a text. And wonderful life she did have, albeit too short for those of us left to live without her light.

Linda was born on May 29, 1962. She grew up with her parents, LeRoy and Patricia Garman in Celina, Ohio, and then graduated with honors from Celina High School in 1980. Her next stop was Wright State University, where she earned degrees in accounting and finance. Later, she earned her MBA from the University of Findlay.

Linda met Greg Wilker of Coldwater, Ohio, at Wright State University. They married July 14, 1984, at Immaculate Conception in Celina and became the couple that everyone could count on. He survives and will forever cherish her saying, "Greggggg" when she was exasperated and "hun," when she was in love.

Very soon after marrying, they moved to Northwest Ohio when Greg accepted a job at Lake High School as a business teacher. She embraced the Lake Flyer family and the students and athletes that Greg taught and coached over the years. It was a tradition for Linda to host poker nights and cook massive amounts of food for Greg's colleagues. Everyone loved the banter between Greg and Linda. Linda made her mark in the community through working and leading the City of Maumee. Smart, professional and financially acute, she held many roles for Maumee - starting in payroll and working her way up to finance director.

Later, she worked as the fiscal officer for Fort Meigs Union Cemetery, Perrysburg. She continued that work until the time of her death. Linda's role went beyond dollars and cents as she compassionately guided families through the decisions of burial and laying a loved one to rest. As you can imagine, more gifts were made; more goodies were baked.

One of Linda's greatest gifts to the world was Hazi, an exchange student who started at Lake High School in 2017. Linda and Greg stepped in and made a home for her. The one-year relationship blossomed, and they remained in touch. In 2022, they welcomed their daughter back as she started her master's in financial economics at Bowling Green State University. Linda's love, advice and life lessons will live on through Hazi, who will graduate this December in her honor.

Linda is preceded in death by her parents; sisters-in-law Judith Knapke and Debbie Wilker; and brothers-in-law Don Wilker, Stanley Wilker and Terry Wilker.

She is survived by sister-in-law Janet Wilker of Montezuma, Ohio; sister-in-law Dottie Wilker of Dayton, Ohio; and brother-in-law John Wilker of Atlanta, Ga.; and brother-in-law Gilbert Knapke of Coldwater, Ohio; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Ken and Marilyn Wilker of Chickasaw, Ohio, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Linda leaves behind her wonderful cats, Eve and Splash. Linda adopted Eve, a medically fragile kitten who lost her tail and needed a home - Linda stepped up, of course.

A Celebration of Life will be on Friday, July 21, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Witzler-Shank-Walker Funeral Home, 222 E. S. Boundary St., Perrysburg, with a Mass at 1:30 p.m. at St. Rose Catholic Church, 215 E. Front St., Perrysburg. Burial will be at Fort Meigs Union Cemetery, 620 W. Indiana Ave., Perrysburg. The family would like to thank Dr. Apoorva Chawla for being Linda's "bulldog" and the many nurses and doctors who provided care.

Instead of flowers, the family requests donations to the Wood County Humane Society, 801 Van Camp Road, Bowling Green, Ohio, 43402, or Lake Athletic Booster Club, 28080 Lemoyne Road, Millbury, Ohio 43447, or the American Cancer Society. Thanks for making the world brighter, Linda.

Online condolences may be shared at walkerfuneralhomes.com.