News : Linn Bearbower\'s family honors him with final ride in his truck

Linn Bearbower's casket rides toward the Brandon Cemetery in the back of his work truck.

Linn Bearbower's nephews and close family lift his casket onto the truck he drove as a mechanic.

Final ride: Linn Bearbower's casket, in the back of the truck from which he worked as a mechanic.

For decades, Linn Bearbower of rural Vinton was a mechanic, working on Case IH equipment in several area communities. For the past several years, he was driving a truck with the Case IH logo on the door as he worked as a mechanic for Titan Machinery of Center Point.

Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer less than two months ago, Linn died on Saturday, Aug. 25, at his home.

His family chose to give him one more ride in the truck he loved driving so much.

Instead of a hearse parked outside Bethlehem Lutheran Church today, Linn’s truck, with a special frame built in the middle of its cargo area, served as the hearse. The pallbearers, including his children, lifted his casket into the truck after the meal that followed the funeral service. The procession then drove to the Brandon Cemetery, where Linn had served as grave-digger for several years. Linn’s son, Eric, will replace him in that duty; friends said Eric dug his father’s grave by hand.

Linn’s childhood nickname was “Sniffer,” and it stuck with him throughout his life. He and his family, including wife Peg, loved their cabin in Van Buren County; Linn also loved fishing and golf and spending time with his three grandchildren.

See Linn's obituary and comments made in his honor HERE.