Linda L. Reinhardt

Captain Linda L. Reinhardt (USAF Retired) of Erie, Pennsylvania, passed away at Fairview Manor in Fairview, Pennsylvania on 08/23/23 at 11:45 am, following a long term illness which began in 2019 and ran its course.

Born on July 15th, 1950 in Meadville, she was the daughter of Kenneth and Dorothy Beers both of whom preceded her in death (Kenneth in 1984 and Dorothy in 1994). Linda was the youngest and sole surviving of four siblings - Kenneth Beers Jr, Thomas Beers and Barbara Freyermuth all of whom preceded her in death (Kenneth Jr in 1991, Thomas in 2006 and Barbara in 2009).  Linda attended grade and grammar school in the local Meadville Area and grew up with many fond memories and stories of life in the Meadville area during the 1950s to the 1970s.

While living in Meadville, she was an active member of St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church. Her faith was very important to her.

In the 1970s she enrolled in the Army, as a combat medic and found her true calling - nursing.  Linda had a caring and professional type of heart that fit well into a nursing environment.  She started work as a CNA for various hospitals, working her way up through hard work and dedication to become an RN- earning her Bachelors in Nursing from Clarion University in the late 1980s.  She was married to John Reinhardt for approximately 15 years during that time, sadly that marriage ended in divorce in the mid 1990s.  It was during this time that she was recruited to put her nursing talents to service in the United States Air Force, with her hard work, dedication and education up to that point she was recruited at the Rank of Captain.  She served for four years out in Vandenberg Air Force Base in Vandenberg California before returning to the civilian world as a traveling nurse until her eventual retirement in 2009.  All in all , Linda dedicated 45 years of her life in the service to others as a nurse.

When not at work or traveling the country for contracts, Linda could be found primarily at home with a good book and her dogs or cats.  She was a lover of animals and had many over the years and treated them like her kids.  She also enjoyed game shows such as Jeopardy and Wheel of fortune and would watch them nightly as part of her evening routine in addition to the six o clock news.

Her family was important to her and she would often visit them even though life may have taken her far away. Towards the end of her career she moved back to Meadville after purchasing a home there and spent 15 of her remaining years in Meadville supporting the family and friends that meant so much to her (and her fur babies too!).  It was in late 2019 that she was diagnosed with the illness that she eventually succumbed to.  She sadly had to sell the beautiful home that she loved as it was simply too much for her to keep up with and she relocated to a smaller residence in Erie, where she was closer to the medical support and care she needed during the last years of her life.  Being the type of person she was, she made many friends with her new neighbors (the two legged and the four legged ones!) , it seemed not even her illness would be enough to slow her down and keep her from visiting others and doing what she could with the time she had left.

As the years went on, it became apparent to those around her that despite her willing eagerness and desire to do more, her illness was taking its toll on her ability to do the things she loved.  It was with heavy heart that she agreed to enter long term care at Fairview manor earlier this year, eventually passing away there.

Linda is survived by her only son Moses A Reinhardt of Auburndale, Florida, a cousin Kathryn Spencer, two sister in laws Ina Rae Beers (also of Meadville) , Carol A Beers (also of Meadville) and several nieces and nephews.  Linda chose a life of caring compassionate service providing just that during her career and receiving the same in return.  She will be missed by all who knew her.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass of Resurrection at 10:00 AM on Friday, September 1, 2023, at The Epiphany of the Lord Parish, St. Brigid Church, 383 Arch St., Meadville, with Fr. Kyle Seyler, Parochial Vicar, officiating.

Linda will be laid to rest in The National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Bridgeville.

Arrangements by STEPHEN P. MIZNER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 404 CHESTNUT ST., MEADVILLE.

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