Linda Eileen (Reese) Spadafora, 80, of Indiana, PA, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 19, 2025, at home surrounded by family. She was the wife of the late Charles “Chuck” Spadafora.
Linda was born in Youngstown, OH on August 2, 1945, a daughter of the late Harry Reese and Edna (Fleet) Reese.
She graduated from South High School in Youngstown, Class of 1963 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Grove City College in 1967. Although she would go on to spend many years as a dedicated homemaker, she worked as a school teacher in the Baltimore area and completed a year abroad teaching in Okinawa through the United States Department of Defense.
On June 24, 1972, she married her beloved late husband, Charles A. “Chuck” Spadafora, and together they shared 47 years of happiness. They lived their entire married life in Indiana, raising four children: Char-Lynn, Charles Jr., Sam, and Jo-Una. She was proud to be a grandmother to eight grandchildren.
Linda was very active in her community, both philanthropically and socially. She was a member of St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church, where she served as a eucharistic minister and sang in the church choir. She volunteered for Birthright, Spirit life, Meals on Wheels, the Chevy Chase Community Center, a candy striper for IRMC and the Alice Paul House. Her hard work was also instrumental in starting and running the Teen Center throughout the 1990’s. Linda belonged to the Indiana Country Club, where she volunteered for the Charity Ball benefiting the IRMC. She was philanthropic through the Colonial Donation Fund associated with the Indiana Recovery Center and Bridget’s House, the Indiana Library, and the YMCA. In addition, she worked to help the family business at Colonial Motor Mart.
Linda’s biggest pride and joy was being a mom. She was a devoted mom to not only her own children, but a second mom to many others who knew and loved her throughout the Indiana community. She was an avid reader of all types of books and an enthusiastic traveler covering 5 of the 7 world continents. Her favorite way to spend time was around other people and in the company of those she cared about. Linda is fondly remembered for her contagious laughter, being spirited and spunky, her famous nacho dip and her deep love of helping others.
She is survived by her children, Char-Lynn O’Connell (Andrew) of Baltimore, MD, Charles Jr. “CJ” Spadafora of Indiana, PA, Sam Spadafora of Vail, CO, and Jo-Una Villani (John) of Philadelphia, PA; eight grandchildren, Liliana, Graham and Harrison O’Connell, Charlie, Tommy and Ali Spadafora, Ana-Sophia and Declan Villani; sister, Janet Vestal of Boardman, OH; siblings-in-law W. H. Spadafora (Candy) of Hilton Head, SC, Jo-Una Spadafora of New York City, NY, and Skip Spadafora (Lisa) of
Indiana; seven nieces and nephews; devoted caregivers, Katie, Laci, Mandy, Lori, Laura, Maddie, and Roxanne; and many friends.
Linda is preceded in death by her dear husband Chuck Spadafora on August 8, 2019, and by her parents.
A visitation will be held at the Robinson-Lytle-Shoemaker Funeral Home, Inc., 36 N 7th St, Indiana on Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A funeral Mass will take place at 10:00 AM on Friday, September 26, 2025, at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church, Indiana. The interment will be held at St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Indiana.
Following the interment, family and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend a luncheon at the Indiana Country Club. The family kindly suggests memorial donations to the Indiana County Recovery Center, 574 Philadelphia St #201, Indiana, PA 15701.
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