Calling(s)

Tuesday, July 27, 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM Young Family Funeral Home - Kendallville Chapel

Wednesday, July 28, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Faith United Methodist Church

Service

Wednesday, July 28, 11:00 AM Faith United Methodist Church

Obituary

Emma Linville Sleesman, 87, of Kendallville died Saturday, July 24, 2021, at her residence with her family at her side.

Mrs. Linville Sleesman, a 1952 graduate of Rome City High School, obtained a degree in pre-school education at IPFW in Fort Wayne. She taught 22 years of pre-school at Faith United Methodist Church in Kendallville. She then worked for eight years at Sacred Heart Home in Avilla. She also worked for five years at A&H Specialties in Kendallville.

Emma was a member of Faith United Methodist Church in Kendallville and the Naomi Ruth Circle at the church. She was also a former member of the Republican Women's Club, past secretary of the Noble County Republican Central Committee, D.A.W.N. organization for pre-school teachers, the Frances Dingman Chapter of the DAR, and the LaGrange DeLafayette Chapter.

She enjoyed sewing and was active in the Noble Nimble Thimbles in Albion, Material Girls, and the Do-Nothing Girls both in Kendallville.

She was born February 5, 1934, in Kendallville to Bert and Hazel (Acker) Trowbridge.

On May 31, 1952, in Kendallville, she married Robert N. Linville, Sr. He preceded her in death on June 30, 1995. On September 29, 2001, in Kendallville she married Harold Sleesman. He preceded her in death on February 16, 2014.

Surviving are two daughters, Becky (Linley) Clark and Tricia (Jeffrey) McAllister both of Kendallville; son, Robert Linville, Jr. of Kendallville; two stepdaughters, Cindy (Jim) Fortman of Huntertown and Kim (Paul) Hite of Huntington; two stepsons, Randy (Robin) Sleesman of Fort Wayne and Rick (Rhonda) Sleesman of Middletown, Ohio; eight grandchildren, Jon (Chris) Nichols, Jeremy Linville, Kyle Linville, Kody Linville, Robert Linville, III, Sarah (Doug) Holliday, Abby Caldwell, and Emalee Robinson; numerous step grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and several step great-grandchildren; a sister, Gloria (Robert) Lash of Huntertown; two brothers, Walter (Patricia) Trowbridge of Kendallville, and Duane (Sharil) Trowbridge of Fort Wayne; and her beloved dog, Penny.

She was also preceded in death by a son, Michael Linville; brothers, Robert Trowbridge, Lowell Trowbridge, and three infant brothers; and a son-in-law, Michael Nichols.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at 11 a.m. at Faith United Methodist Church, 411 Harding Street, Kendallville with the Rev. David Mathews and Father Jeremy Trowbridge officiating. Burial will follow at Lake View Cemetery, Kendallville.

Honorary pallbearers are Pace Agee and Max Saillant. Active pallbearers are Jon Nichols, Jeremy Linville, Robert Linville, III, Kyle Linville, Kody Linville, Brandon Nichols, and Kordell Nichols.

Calling is Tuesday, July 27, 2021, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Preferred memorials are to Faith United Methodist Church or Parkview Noble Hospice.

The family wishes to thank Hospice nurses Dawn, Leah, and Linda for their wonderful care.

View a video tribute after Tuesday or hare memories and condolences at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com