Linda Marie Zirkle's Obituary
Linda Marie Zirkle, age 83, passed from this life on May 2, 2026, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She entered this world and began her legacy on February 26, 1943, in Akron, Ohio, born to Ernest Roy Doutt and Mildred Marie (Kirkland) Doutt.
Linda lived her life as the embodiment of a true servant’s heart. Helping others was her joy, and she expressed her love most naturally through cooking. Her kitchen was her ministry, and her pies, especially her famous coconut cream and chocolate pies, became treasured staples among family, friends, and her church community. She delighted in preparing dishes for gatherings, holidays, and church events, always ensuring everyone felt cared for and well-fed.
She enjoyed the simple pleasures of life: ironing, working puzzles, watching Judge Judy, and settling in with a good mystery or action movie. She loved sports, cheering faithfully for the Cleveland Browns football team and supported them from states away. Linda always enjoyed watching her kids play baseball in their younger years. Athletic and spirited in her younger years, Linda loved swimming in the area lakes in the summer and would ice skate on the frozen lakes in the winter. She was very talented at it and always got new skates for Christmas. Linda and her cousin Gloria would skate together and dream about being in the Olympics one day.
Linda had an eclectic love for music; country, worship, and the golden oldies of her youth all found a place in her heart. She was humorous, quick-witted, and loved making others laugh. She collected jokes everywhere she could, even buying Laffy Taffy just to add the wrapper jokes to her ever-growing repertoire.
She had a few indulgences that became part of her charm—Diet Pepsi and Little Debbie’s were her faithful companions, enjoyed to a fault and always with a smile.
Above all, Linda cherished her family. Being married to her sweetheart, Pastor Jerry Zirkle, and raising their five children; Linda, Laura, Lisa, Ronnie, and Dan were the greatest joys of her life. When her 14 grandchildren began to arrive, her heart expanded even more, embracing each one with unwavering love, pride, and delight. When Linda was blessed with her grandchildren, she became Nanny to all of them. Linda was not just known as Nanny to only her grandchildren, this also extended into her church family as well. Time spent with her family and those she loved dearly was her greatest treasure.
Linda was a godly example to all who knew her. As a pastor’s wife for over 40 years, she served faithfully behind the scenes, never seeking recognition or praise. She preferred quiet acts of kindness, steady support, and humble service. Her church family was dear to her, and she poured her heart into blessing others in every way she could. To many in the church she was known as the “Candy Lady” and was always passing out treats to kids and even the adults in attendance. Her life was a tapestry of love, laughter, faith, and service. She touched countless lives with her generosity, humor, and steadfast devotion. Linda leaves behind a legacy of kindness and a shining example of what it means to love others well.
She is preceded in death by her husband Pastor Jerry Zirkle; her parents Ernest and Mildred Doutt; her sister Nancy Jacobs; and her brother James “Jim” Doutt. Left to cherish Linda's memory are her children Linda Mueller and her husband Jeff, Laura Exum and her husband Pastor John, Lisa Montoya and her husband Keith, Ronnie Zirkle and his wife Chrissy, and Pastor Dan Zirkle and his wife Jennifer; 14 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren with two more on the way; her sister Sandi Williams and her husband Ken; her cousin Gloria Kane; along with other family members and friends who will forever cherish their memories with Linda. May she rest in peace.
A celebration of Lindas life will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026 at 11:00AM at Our Finest Hour Church in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Linda will be laid to rest at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
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