Linda Marie Dinger

Linda Marie Dinger (Batts), of Grand Rapids formerly of Grand Blanc and Fenton MI, age 48, peacefully passed into the comforting hands of God at her home with her family and close friends by her side Saturday, March 4, 2006. Linda graduated from Grand Blanc High School, 1975, University of Michigan Mechanical Engineering, 1979, University of Michigan Masters in Mechanical Engineering, 1980, Michigan State University Masters in Business Administration, 1988. Linda has shown leadership all of her life beginning as a cheerleader in high school. Linda was a member of, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, Pi Tau Sigma Mechanical Engineering Honor Society, Beta Gamma Sigma Business Administration Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Valedictorian, AMP Class of 1988 and was the YWCA Woman of Achievement Corporate Honoree, 1993. Linda's working career was with General Motors AC Spark Plug, and with Delphi Corporation. Linda was on the Genesee County Salvation Army Advisory Board, Trustee of the Forest Hills Fine Arts Council Foundation and on the Industry Advisory Board of Padnos School of Engineering of GVSU. In 1982 Linda married Michael Alan Batts of East Grand Rapids. They made their home in Lake Fenton, MI, until moving to Grand Rapids in 2003. Linda and Mike are the parents of three children, Ann Katherine, 14, Eric Michael, 13, and William Herrick, 10. Linda enjoyed her family, gardening, and had a special love for people. Linda is survived by her husband, Michael; her children, Ann, Eric and William; her father and mother, Richard and Patricia Dinger of Grand Blanc; two brothers, Scott and Wendy Dinger of Greeneville, TN formerly of Fenton, and their daughters, Amber, Chelsea and Kate; Bruce and Kim Dinger and their children Blake, Kyle and Anna; her father and mother-in law, John and Nancy Batts of North Palm Beach, FL and Grand Rapids; three brothers-in law, John and Dianne Batts, Vail, CO, and their children, Wesley and Betsy; James and Kathy Batts of North Palm Beach, FL, and their children, Alec and Julia; Robert and Judy Batts of Grand Rapids and their children, Michelle and Thomas; her Uncle and Aunt, William and Barbara Phillion of Grand Blanc; her Aunt and Uncle Mary Ellen (Dinger) and Donald Spinar of Polsbo, WA, her Aunt and Uncle Shirley and Jack Dekker, of Grand Rapids; Aunt and Uncle Eloise and Ed Hobday of Newark, DE; friends from her 26-year business career and numerous friends from her social activities. Services will be held Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at Keystone Community Church, 655 Spaulding SE, Ada, MI beginning with a gathering at 4 p.m. and services at 5 p.m. Those desiring may honor Linda by supporting Keystone Community Church and The Forest Hills Fine Arts Center Foundation. Linda was a loving wife, mother, daughter and sister. Linda was a caring friend who graciously and freely gave of herself to support them in times of need. She is dearly missed by all whose lives she touched. This expert from Linda's journal written during her battle with cancer describes Linda's character. "In the last 4-5 days I have had a remarkable turnaround because I have asked for help from God and tried very hard to hear answers. I have learned that often God works through others to give answers and comfort just when you need it most." Amen.