Linda VanRoosendaal

Linda VanRoosendaal, 85 of Champaign died on July 26, 2026 in Crown Point, IN. She was born on November 12, 1940 in Arcola, the daughter of John and Thelma Connor.

She graduated from Arcola High School and received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois. She completed her doctorate in education at Northern Illinois University with a specialization in the teaching of reading. She taught in Champaign, Glen Ellyn, and Rosemead, California. She also taught at Northern Illinois University while pursuing her doctorate. After completing her degree, she became the Director of the Reading Lab at Chanute Air Force Base for Parkland College. She taught at Parkland College for 27 years where she developed the English as a Second Language Program and taught reading as well. She served as the International Students Advisor for many years and taught English to native Spanish speakers from Mexico and to broom corn factory workers in Arcola. She spent a semester in Japan teaching English as a Second Language and Music Appreciation to Japanese students.

After retirement, she returned to teach at Parkland for four more years as a Professor Emeritus, tutored many second language students, and edited papers for a Korean professor.

She married George Gary White on August 22, 1965 in Arcola. He was killed by a drunk driver on March 4, 1966. She married Roger VanRoosendaal on September 12, 1969. She then married Robert Payne, Sr., on September 16, 2006. She is survived by her son, David VanRoosendaal (Mary), two grandchildren, Hailey and Dylan VanRoosendaal, and four step grandchildren, Stefanie and Richard Pacheco of Joliet and Caroline and Ens. John Perrot of Matteson. She is also survived by two sisters, Joyce Lowder of Champaign and Sharon Buckler (Richard) of Arthur, and two brothers, John (Rosie) Connor of Dayton, Ohio, and William Connor of Binghamton, New York and many nieces and nephews.

She was a member of First Christian Church of Champaign, Delta Kappa Gamma, Champaign County Retired Teachers Association, and the Senior Citizens Bowling League. She sang with the Xi singers of Delta Kappa Gamma and loved music, playing the piano, clarinet, and guitar. She participated in many Senior Olympics, and loved to read and play cards.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday August 4th at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center’s Champaign Chapel 710 N. Neil St. in Champaign, IL. 61820 from 10am-12pm with a service to follow at 12pm. Linda will be interred at Arcola Cemetery in Arcola IL.

Please join Linda’s family in sharing memories, photos and videos on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.