Linda Roberta (Pretnar) Keeler passed on April 4, 2022 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, IL. She was 80 years of age being born February 23, 1942. She was the oldest child of Albert and Maryann Pretnar of Coalton. Linda attended St. Louis Catholic School in Nokomis and graduated from Nokomis High School in 1960. Linda moved to Springfield after high school and resided there throughout her life.

She attended beauty school and worked for the Illinois Secretary of State for a short period. In the 1960’s Linda worked at the Governor’s Hotel and the St. Nicholas Hotel and made many friends in Springfield and the surrounding area. Linda married James Keeler in 1966 and later divorced in 1969. Linda worked at the Southern Aire Restaurant in Springfield in the 1970’s and 80’s. In the late 70’s she assisted her mother and father with operating Hap’s Tavern in Coalton until it closed in 2000. In 1987 Linda started publishing the Senior News and Times of Illinois and remained the publisher and editor of the quarterly newspaper until her passing. The publication is geared towards providing information and advice to Illinois seniors. Linda enjoyed her newspaper business and developed many friendships and acquaintances among Illinois seniors as a result. Linda travelled to many places in the United States and Canada and was an outgoing and fun person to know. Linda helped care for her parents until their passing and was a very loving and hardworking daughter. She was a loving and caring sister. Linda was a good aunt to her nieces and nephews and would provide sage advice when it was needed. She remained close with many of her cousins with whom she grew up with in the Nokomis area. She was also an exceptional Italian cook.

Linda is survived by her brother Alan (Andrea) Pretnar of Taylor Springs, her nieces, Suzanna (David) Rosenblatt and Gina (Donovan) Van Zandt of the Austin, Texas area and nephew Nicholas Pretnar of Santa Barbara, Ca. and niece Maria (Ty Goad) Pretnar of South Bend, In., great nephews James and Grayson Albright, Beau Tolmachoff and Asher Van Zandt of Austin, TX. and Elijah Goad of South Bend, In., as well as her Aunt Helen Poteet of Coalton to whom she was close throughout her life. Linda was proceeded in death by her parents and her sister Maryann Ceballos as well as her best friends Samson and Max her canine companions.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at St Agnes Catholic Cemetery in Hillsboro, IL. Friends and family to meet at Bass Patton Dean Funeral Home in Hillsboro, IL at 12:30 p.m. to precede to the cemetery. Father Dan Bergbower of St. Agnes Parish in Springfield, IL will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Louis Catholic School in Nokomis, IL.