Linda L Fiscus

Linda Lou Dow Ayres Fiscus, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the age of 81.

Born in Sullivan, Illinois, on April 9, 1944, to the late Dale E. Dow and Helen A. Dow, Linda lived a life centered around family, creativity, and kindness. She was first married to Adrian "Bud" Ayres, with whom she shared four beloved children. Adrian passed away in 1985 at the age of 40. Linda later married Lloyd Fiscus, with whom she shared many happy years before his passing.

Linda loved finding great deals at local thrift shops and had a lifelong passion for crafts. She enjoyed crocheting, sewing, and creating beautiful handmade items such as pillow dolls, blankets, and kitchen towels. During the summertime, you would always find some hens and chickens growing alongside several rooster and cat lawn ornaments in her yard — a reflection of her playful and whimsical spirit.

Linda devoted much of her life to helping others. She worked as a CNA in Sumner, Illinois, before retiring after 28 years of dedicated service to her community.

She will be remembered for her directness, her strong independence, her quiet love for her family, and her love of country line dancing. Up to her final days, she was still attending—or attempting to attend—local country line dance sessions, sharing her joy of life with everyone around her.

She is survived by her daughter Teresa Holmes and son-in-law Brian Holmes of Sumner, Illinois; her son Kevin Ayres and daughter-in-law Jodi Ayres of Bridgeport, Illinois; her son Jeffrey Ayres of Palestine, Illinois; and her son Dale Ayres of San Diego, California.

She is also survived by her brothers Lester Dow and wife Diana, Randy Dow and wife Jane, and Richard Dow and wife Karen. Linda was blessed with several nieces and nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who will miss her dearly.

In lieu of flowers and cards, Linda requested to make a tax deductible donation to the Lawrence County Cancer Resource Center located at 100 Lewis Ave Lawrenceville, Illinois 62439-1829.

Arrangements are pending with Sivert-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home.