Linda Mae (Melton) Essmiller, 84, passed away in Wichita, Kan. Jan. 15, 2025. She was born Nov. 2, 1940, in Concordia, to William N. and Vera Leone (Overman) Melton.

Linda had a passion for teaching and children and obtained her master’s degree in education. She moved to Great Bend from LaCrosse in 1967. She began her career with USD 428 as a teacher in Park elementary and eventually worked her way as principal for Eisenhower elementary from 1991, until her retirement in 1999. Linda’s hard work and dedication to her students placed her as a finalist for the Outstanding Teacher Award. She was a member of Kansas National Education Association. Her care and compassion for her many students will forever be remembered. 

Linda married Lilbourn Roy “L.R.” Stoskopf Aug. 23, 1959, in Concordia. From this union, they had two boys. They later divorced in 1985. Linda married James A. “Jim” Essmiller March 20, 1998, in Las Vegas, Nev. He preceded her in death on March 7, 2018. Linda was a First United Methodist member. She enjoyed and was active in 4-H and was a Kansas Farm Bureau member. 

Survivors include sons, Brad Stoskopf and his wife Kim of Wichita, Brian Stoskopf and his wife Whitney of Riverbank, Calif.; step sons, Kyle Essmiller of Edmond, Okla., John Essmiller and his wife Kimberly of South Pasadena, Calif.; grandchildren, Matthew Stoskopf and his wife Jamie, Gregory Stoskopf and his wife Kelly, Kevin Stoskopf and his wife Anna, Bryce Stoskopf; step grandchildren, James Essmiller, Kennedy Essmiller, Emiko Essmiller, Kenji Essmiller; great grandchildren, Lauren, Sullivan, Dean, Wesley, Harrison; brothers, Lavern “Vern” Melton and his wife Sheryl of Rush Center, Jerry Melton and his wife Vickie of Vicksburg, Miss.; sisters, Jan Melton of Wichita, Janie Sihilling and her husband Cal of Casa Grande, N. Mex., Vera Jean Brichalli and her husband Mario of Springfield, Mo. She was preceded in death by her parents, and husband, James A. “Jim” Essmiller. 

Funeral service will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, at Bryant Funeral Home with Reverend Robert Selvakumar presiding. Burial will follow at Great Bend Cemetery North. Visitation will be from noon to 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, with family receiving from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials have been designated to USD 428 Foundation or Barton County Food Bank, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Road, Great Bend, KS 67530. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS  67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Jan. 16, 2025