REV. LYLE LINDER
Reverend Lyle Dean Linder, M.Div., PhD., passed away on August 3, 2017. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Linder and their children Leslie Linder, Harry Bohrs (Anne Turner) and Daniel Bohrs, and grandchildren Katharine and Nathaniel Bohrs. Lyle is also survived by his sister Nancy Linder Bucher, nieces Janet Alviar and Joy Bucher, his aunt, Rojane Linder, and many cousins from the Linder and Nelson families of Nebraska. Lyle and Mary Ann hosted numerous foreign exchange students from Japan, and sponsored students in Mexico. Many of these students remain part of the family.
Lyle was born to John and Ethel Linder, Swedish immigrants, on June 9, 1940 in Oakland, Nebraska. He and Nancy attended a rural country school until sixth grade and finished public school in Uehling, Nebraska. Nancy remembers Lyle as a caring big brother who always looked after her and protected her interests. They were raised in the Lutheran church, and Lyle retained a strong interest in religion and cherished his Swedish heritage. He visited the area as an adult and met some long-lost relations.
As a life-long learner, Lyle earned degrees up to the doctorate level attending the University of Nebraska, Case Western Reserve, the University of Texas, Emory, Duke, and Boston University. Before earning his Master of Divinity at Emory, he worked as an English professor and in the college text book division of McGraw Hill. His long career in United Methodist ministry included service in many rural Nebraska and New York churches, generally two or more at a time, racing to make the second or third service.
Besides his own parish work, Lyle enjoyed engaging in mission trips, outreach trips, and pulpit exchange programs in Mexico, Japan, England, and Ireland. He also enjoyed library improvement projects on Midwest Native American reservations. Some of his greatest joys were making parish visits and trips to visit parishioners in nursing homes and hospitals, and outreach activities like senior dinners. Many remember Lyle for his special words and caring support at family weddings and funerals.
Lyle was a Rotarian, a Paul Harris Fellow, an election commissioner, and an avid book lover, collector, and peddler. He read voraciously and shared his vast knowledge readily. He took classes on bookbinding so he could restore many of the rare old books that he “rescued” and frequently arrived with books he’d selected as gifts. Always an admirer of the arts, Lyle took piano lessons late in life, took up painting, and worked with clay creating and exploring several techniques. He supported the Franklin Community Theater and ushered at Glimmerglass Opera and the Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame allowing him to see lots of performances and games. He was a passionate fan of Duke basketball. In all he undertook, Lyle dove in with enthusiasm and great energy and many have reached out to Lyle’s family to speak of his compassion and encouragement during their challenging times, his intelligence, and the example he provided for leading a positive religious life.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to The Relief-Rebuild Fund at Milford United Methodist Church, PO Box 127, Milford NY, 13807 or a charity of your choice. Calling hours will be from 5-7pm on Saturday August 12th at Landers Funeral Home in Sidney, NY. Celebration of Lyle’s life will be held Sidney United Methodist Church at 3:00 pm on Sunday August 13th followed by a reception.