Lina Linda Flender

LINA LINDA FLENDER

Silver Springs, Fla.

Lina Linda Flender, 81, of Silver Springs, Fla., passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018.

Lina was born in Des Moines, Iowa, to Verni and Lavirn Fehlhafer and moved to Ocala, Fla., in 2001 from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Lina had many occupations, but bartending at The Playtime was her absolute favorite. She was an avid morel mushroom hunter and enjoyed cooking for family and friends. She was a member of the Eagles Club in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for many years and was a generous donor to various organizations. Lina also enjoyed crossword puzzles, visiting casinos and playing the lottery. She will be especially remembered for her selflessness and caregiving to others. She touched so many lives, and never met a stranger.

Lina was preceded in death by her daughter, Deborah Simmons-Melvin; stepdaughter, Joyce "Lizzy" Weidler-Fixen; her sister, Doris Sievers; her sister-in-law, Joyce Fehlhafer; her granddaughter, Sandy Strait; and her grandson, Andy Weidler-Schropp, infant.

Lina is survived by her husband of 17 years, John Flender of Silver Springs, Fla.; seven children, Rick (Mary) Simmons, Beverly Simmons-Cole, Gary (Chris) Simmons, Thomas (Kim) Simmons, Jolene Julis-Weeks and Mark Chapman, John Julis, Jr., and Lela Julis; four stepchildren, Mike (Angela) Flender, Marcia (Lonnie) Flender Triplett, Jeremy Flender and Julie and Julie Weidler and Tom Schropp; 25 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Jerry Fehlhafer and Ron (Rita) Fehlhafer; brother-in-law, Hardy Sievers; 11 nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are being handled by Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, 910 SE Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL 34470, (352)-629-7171. Online Condolences may be expressed at www.hiers-baxley.com.