Obituary of Linda J. Shatto

Linda Jean Shatto, age 79, of Marengo, Iowa passed away peacefully in her home, on Sunday December 14th, 2025, surrounded by her loving and caring family under the compassionate care of Essence of Life of Hospice.

Linda Smith was born September 4th, 1946, in Butler, PA, the daughter of John and Regina (Stokes) Smith.  She graduated from Butler, PA, high school in 1964.  Linda and her daughter, Amy, fell in love with the mid-west and moved to Iowa in 1977.  Linda then gained a bonus mom and dad, Leonard (Bud) and Margaret (Marge) Gough, whom they rented a farmhouse from in Tiffin, IA. (Amy also acquired two more grandparents).  Through the years Linda and Amy continued to gain family and friends, and eventually moved to Solon, IA, where they planted their roots. This became their hometown for many years and on May 14th, 1993, this is where she married James R. Shatto and they eventually moved to Marengo, IA.

Linda had a true zest for life and found joy in the simple pleasures.  She could often be found curled up with a good book, challenging herself with a puzzle, or relaxing with her favorite shows ‘Two and Half Men’ and ‘Virgin River’ or cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Linda found happiness in her love for animals; she absolutely adored her dog Einstein and was heartbroken when he passed away. She often told Jim how much she missed him. Cooking, baking, and decorating her home for every holiday gave Linda great pleasure. Linda LOVED shopping and had a special joy in buying gifts for others, even when there was no occasion to celebrate. She cherished being surrounded by people, especially her family.  Some of her favorite times were the annual Fourth of July gatherings at their home in Marengo that included barbecues, watching the parade and the fireworks. Everyone was welcome!

Linda had an extraordinary love for children, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren; over the years she welcomed many “bonus kids” into her heart.  One of Linda’s happiest days was officiating the marriage of her granddaughter, Hailey to her husband Justin - an honor she was incredibly proud to be able to do. Her kindness, generosity, and loving spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew her. 

Family memories will forever be treasured – such memories as rescuing baby squirrels from the backyard, letting her grandkids shift the gears in the car, her beautifully decorated home, her incredible cooking, sleepovers filled with laughter, and her fun, spunky personality that made her the life of every gathering.  She had a giving heart and was always thinking of others.  Trips to the hairdresser were filled with conversations and singing along to the radio.

Jim and Linda loved spending weekends dancing, taking small trips, and traveling to Pennsylvania to visit family and friends.  Jim cherished every moment of the 33-years he was blessed to spend with Linda and will miss her dearly.  Jim will always remember when tucking Linda into bed she would always say  “please tell all the kids that I love them.” Amy will miss everything about her mom; but especially the daily check-in phone calls to talk about the day and to just simply hear her mother’s voice.

Linda’s loving heart, warmth and joyful spirit will live on in the lives she touched.

Her family includes her husband, Jim; daughter and her husband, Amy and Corey Donaldson; step-children, Dawnell Shadden (Jim), James F. Shatto (Tracy), Aaron Shatto (Jessica), Terry Eastwood (Danielle) and Brian Eastwood (Brienne); grandchildren, Hailey Speers (Justin), Brock Donaldson (Alyssa), Travis Shaull (Lindsey), Megan Mattingly (Ron), Colton Shadden (Abby), Hunter and Hayden Shatto, Taylor, Logan and Avery Shatto.  Linda had 13 great grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Betty Beatty (Jim); brother-in-law, Eddie Garrison; nephews, Tim Garrison (Laura), Robbie Garrison (Lisa), Tom Cammisa (Brenda) and Gary Cammisa (Alma); cousins, Dennis Stokes (Kim), and  Linda Stein (Ed); as well as many great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Bonnie Garrison and Betty Lou Cammisa, brother-in-law Jim Cammisa, and nephew Scott Cammisa; as well as former husbands George Gavula and Leo Eastwood.

Memorial services will be held at 3pm Sunday, December 28th, 2025, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. There will be visitation time beginning at 1:00 prior to the service commencement. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in her honor.  To share a thought, memory or condolence with her family please visit Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service website @ www.gayciha.com.