Linda Lou (Strickland) Bent

Linda Lou Bent, 81, of Abingdon, Illinois, passed away at 11:44 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at OSF St. Mary’s Medical Center.

Linda was born June 15, 1944, in Galesburg, Illinois, the daughter of Roy and Betty G. (Curtis) Strickland. She married James “Jim” C. Bent in 1962 in Galesburg. He preceded her in death on July 7, 2015, after 53 years of marriage.

She is survived by her son, James “Jim” (Jennifer) Bent of Camdenton, Missouri; her daughter, Sherry Jones-Bent of Abingdon; and her brother, Jay Strickland of Galesburg. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren: Jaclyn Jones of Florida; Teri Bent of Abingdon; Jonathan (Louis Maisonet) Bent of Tampa, Florida; Stephanie Bent of Abingdon; Heidi (Chris) Renner of Abingdon; Brandon (Nicole Molinaro) Cooper of Kenosha, Wisconsin; Bryson (Micayla Schnirch) Bent of Versailles, Missouri; and Carlee (Dustin) Barton of Camdenton, Missouri.

Linda was blessed with 19 great-grandchildren: Marquita, Khadijah, Arthur, Jamal, Nevaeh, Emmanual, Christopher, James, Liam, Benjamin, Zoey, Everleigh, Aryanna, Ava Lynn, Ayden, Austyn, Aria, Ivory, and Violet.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Jack and Johnny Strickland and Donald Kilpatrick; and one sister, Wanda Krans.

Linda attended Abingdon area schools. She worked at Carhartt Inc. and Walmart in Galesburg while working as a cosmetologist from her home. She was a member of the First Assembly Church of God in Abingdon. In her free time, Linda enjoyed playing bingo, visiting the casino, and, most of all, spending time with her family.

As Linda requested, cremation will be accorded. A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, April 8, at 1:00 p.m.,at New Harvest Church in Abingdon, Illinois. Food donations are greatly appreciated. Memorial contributions may be made to the family. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services, Abingdon Chapel is honored to serve the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.h-p-w.com.

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