Linda Bingham

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Linda Jo Grubb Bingham, age 82, passed from this life on March 11, 2023 at Wildwood Senior Living, Joplin, MO. She is preceded in death by her father, P.W. “Chick” Grubb and mother, Winona Albro Grubb.

Linda was born in Wyandotte, OK on May 18, 1940. She graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1958 as salutatorian of her class and was always proud to be a “Wyandotte Bear,” both planning and attending many high school class reunions over the years. 

Linda went on to further her education at Phillips University in Enid, OK graduating in 1962 with a degree in Christian Education and a minor in Business. 

After graduation, she worked at the First National Bank (Tulsa, OK) in the Trust Department. She later worked at Rocketdyne (Neosho, MO) as a secretary to the President. However, Linda’s passion was always teaching. She went on to earn her teaching certificate from Pittsburg Teaching college in Pittsburg, KS and taught sixth grade in the USD 508 Baxter Springs school district for 24 years. 

Linda truly loved and cared for her students and was often visited by past students after she retired. She would often say how thankful she was to work with such wonderful teachers, principals, superintendents, and staff over those 24 years. 

After her retirement from school teaching, Linda became an integral part of the family businesses. She also loved traveling with her family, especially to Sanibel Island, FL where she enjoyed walking the beach looking for shells. Other hobbies Linda enjoyed included making stained glass art, painting, gardening, and being with her beloved friend group.

Linda was a member of the First Christian Church in Baxter Springs where she served as a Deacon and youth leader for many years. Linda rarely met a stranger and if you asked her, “How’s your day going?” she would often say “Every day is a good day!” An example of her caring heart happened when she once consoled a boy at a Little League baseball game after the boy on the opposing team struck out to end the game. She would later say, that if we all treated every child like they were our own, this world would be better place. Linda lived her life that way. Always treating everyone like they were a part of her own family.

Linda married Larry L. Bingham on February 29, 1964, at the First Christian Church in Miami, OK. They enjoyed living in Baxter Springs during their 59 years of marriage, raising their three sons. One of her greatest joys was being a Nana to her grandchildren. Whatever happened at Nana and Pop’s, stayed at Nana and Pop’s!

She is survived by her husband, Larry Bingham, Baxter Springs, three sons, Rusty Bingham (wife Melanie) Baxter Springs, Joe Bingham (wife Staci) Baxter Springs, and Andy Bingham (wife Ashley) Loma Linda, MO, nine grandchildren, Taylor, SkyLeigh, Cassidy, Bayleigh, Brett, Sami, Shelbi, Kinsli, and Lucy, four great-grandchildren, Penny, Bingham, Mila, and Mali, one brother, Sam Grubb (wife Kay) Miami, OK, one sister-in-law, Sandra Williams, and many nieces and nephews.

The service will be held at the First Christian Church, Baxter Springs, KS on Thursday, March 16, 2023 at 11:00 and visitation will be held at the church on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 from 6:00-8:00. Pastor Cody Graves will officiate. Burial will be in the Baxter Springs, KS cemetery following the service. Pallbearers are Brett Bingham, Tim Shallenburger, Bud Martin, Bert Kellum, Craig Sweaney, Buzz Busch and Ken Auman. Donations can be made in Linda’s honor to the Baxter Springs First Christian Church Youth Group.




The family would like to thank the staff at Wildwood Memory Care for their exceptional love, kindness, and care.