Linda L. Hillman, 67, Freeman, MO, passed away unexpectedly on June 26, 2016 at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri. Visitation will be Thursday, June 30, 2016 from 2:00-5:00 at the Cass Midway High School Cleveland, Missouri with Funeral to follow at 5:00 p.m. Burial will be in Freeman Cemetery, Freeman, Missouri.

Linda was born July 10, 1948 in West Line, Missouri, the daughter of Troy Herman and Betty Lee (Sanders) Brown. Linda and her family moved from West Line to Freeman when she was 13, where she remained her entire life. She was a 1966 graduate of Cass Midway High School. She married Rick J. Hillman on July 8, 1967. Through almost 49 years of marriage, they raised two children, Chris D. Hillman, and Nicole L. Hillman, both of Freeman. In 2003, they added a son-in-law, Tim R. Hagedorn. They were also blessed with three grandchildren, Cabriah N. Hillman, Troy S. Hagedorn, and Ryan A. Hagedorn. She was always at her happiest on Sunday's, when the entire family never missed dinner together. They also traveled and vacationed together throughout her life. One trip to Cancun, Mexico, 17 years ago, became so special to Linda that they returned as a family every February. Linda became as loved there, as she was here, and developed close bonds with people from all over the country. Linda & Rick began retuning every September to Cancun, to join that special group of friends. Much like she was an ambassador for Midway, she became an Official Ambassador for the Flamingo Cancun. Her family boasted that she was now "loved internationally".

Linda is probably most well remembered as the smiling face behind the desk in the Midway High School office. She began her job as Midway High School Secretary in 1972. Through her 44 years at that job at Midway, she became much, much more than her title suggested. Generations of students, parents, and staff came to know "Linda" as the go-to person for anything Midway. From excused tardy slips (one of Linda's specialties), helpful advice, kind words, unquestioned support, or welcoming a new face, Linda became synonymous with Midway. Of the thousands of people, young to old that interacted with her, not a harsh word can be found. She was loved, appreciated, respected, and memorable. When asked why she doesn't just retire, she had a simple, sincere response: "I love the kids and people I see every day".

She was preceded in death by her parents, Troy & Betty Brown. She is survived by her husband, Rick, of the home; one son, Chris Hillman, and one daughter, Nicole Hagedorn and her husband, Tim, all of Freeman, Missouri; one sister, Jan E. Burchett and her husband, Larry, Freeman, Missouri; and three grandchildren, Cabriah Hillman, and Troy and Ryan Hagedorn.

Her smile and pure kindness will be missed by the entire Midway community, past, present, and future. From all of us, we love you Linda.