Linda L. Ralston

Linda L. Ralston, age 69 of Hanover, passed away Monday, December 30, 2013 at the Hanover Health & Rehabilitation Center. Born August 31, 1944 in Sandusky, Ohio, she was the daughter of Charles E. “Shotgun” and Dorothy E. (Berghofer) Harrod who preceded her in death. Linda began a forty-three year career in banking with First Bank of Madison, starting as a bookkeeper, progressing to position of branch manager and assistant cashier. When First Bank of Madison merged with Madison Bank of Trust Co, she became a loan clerk/processor in the Commerce/Mortgage Loan Department at Madison Bank and Trust Company. In 1994, she took a position with Citizens National Bank, now River Valley Financial Bank, being employed there until retiring in 2007. During this time, after beginning as a loan clerk, she progressed in later years to customer service serving as teller supervisor, branch manager and customer service representative and assisting with cash management services. As an employee of River Valley Financial Bank she was involved in community service activities including Bowl for Kids Sake, Relay for Life, Miss Madison Regatta Pageant, Jefferson County 4H Fair Booth, March of Dimes WalkAmerica and Ribberfest. Linda served as Team Captain for the March of Dimes WalkAmerica and National Lee Denim Day Annual Fund Raiser for Breast Cancer. She was recognized by River Valley Financial Bank as employee with the most community service hours completed in 2005. She served as Chairman of the Miss Madison Regatta Scholarship Pageant since 1996. She was Chamber of Commerce Ambassador for seven years and was active in attending activities including TeleAuction, Business Expo, Job Fair, Soup, Stew, Chili & Brew and Business After Hours. She earned Chamber Ambassador of the Year in 2005 & 2006, as representative of River Valley Financial Bank. Linda was selected as Chamber Ambassador representing Xi Beta Upsilon Sorority. She was a Beta Sigma Phi Sorority-Xi Beta Upsilon Chapter pledge in 1971, where she was member for over thirty years. She served in all officer positions, currently as Treasurer. She was selected as Chapter Woman of the Year several times for participation in chapter activities. She also served as Coordinator for the Miss Madison Regatta Scholarship Pageant Committee. In addition to the scholarships for Miss Madison Regatta and local high school recipients, proceeds from the pageant are used to support organizations and fund raising events in the community, as well as assisting persons with personal or medical needs. Her family has lived in Madison and Jefferson County for at least four generations. Her father operated a family owned business, Economy Cleaners in downtown Madison. She grew up and was educated in Madison attending Lydia Middleton Grade School and graduating from Madison Consolidated High School. She attended Ball State University and has taken classes at Ivy Tech. Linda was a member of the Madison Presbyterian Church. She loved attending her grandkids ballgames, gardening, flowers, birds and her cat Muffit. Survivors include her husband, Darrell whom she met at Hanover Beach and were married on September 25, 1964; her son, Duane and his wife, Kim of Hanover; one sister, Mary Elliott of Madison; two brothers, Pete Harrod and his wife, Martha and Lory Harrod and his companion, Cindy both of Madison; three grandchildren, Brittney, Meagan and Abigail Ralston; one niece, Heather and three nephews, Clint, Skyler and Loren. Funeral Services will be conducted at the Vail Funeral Chapel at 117 Holt Drive, Madison, Indiana on Friday, January 3, 2014 at 11:00am. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 8:00pm Thursday, January 2, 2014 and from 10:00 am Friday until service time at the funeral home. Burial will follow services at Hanover Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Xi Beta Upsilon Sorority. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Friends can leave messages of remembrance at www.VailFuneralChapel.com.