Linda Worlow Paints Insurance in Pictures at State Farm!

By Cindy Ladage

Located on the Virden square, Linda Worlow is a State Farm Agent, and she has been serving Central Illinois residents and beyond out of the former Al Drapp clothing location since 1996!  Linda joked that years ago Bill Leskoviesk ran Hall’s Market which was just three doors down. Al would not leave the clothing store until he would sell at least one item.  “He would go to Bill at the end of the day and say, buy a pair of socks or something so I can go home.”

Linda began her career with state Farm in Bloomington, Illinois in 1985 when her first husband Earl Willing was hired on in their Corporate data center.  Soon after he hired on, she started working in the Corporate Personnel office. A quadriplegic from a diving accident as a teen, Linda said that Earl taught her about faith and inspiration.  “It didn’t take Earl long to befriend and inspire many coworkers.  Earl died in 1993 from complications after back surgery.”

A few years after losing Earl, Linda said it was time to regroup.  She decided to participate in the then new State Farm training program to become an agent.  About that time a coworker introduced her to a truck driver from Vandalia named Doyle Worlow.  It didn’t take long for them to realize they were soul mates. 

Wanting to work in a small town, State Farm relocated her to Virden, Illinois and 1996 was a banner year for Linda and Doyle. They got married, Linda opened her office and bought a house in Girard!  Since then, she has never looked back and loves being an insurance agent in this small town.  Originally Linda grew up in Washington, Illinois and it was about the same size back then that Virden is now.  So, she feels right at home and she likes the fact that Virden is close to Springfield.  “It offers easy access to big city healthcare and entertainment.”

When asked why State Farm, Linda said, “State Farm is the leading Auto and Homeowners Insurer in the US and offers about 100 products.  State Farm has over 57,000 employees and over 19,000 independent agents throughout the U.S and State Farm is the number one auto insurer in the U.S since 1942.”

“State Farm’s mission is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. Perfect fit for my passion for helping others.”

One reason that Linda said she feels that she can be of assistance is that she herself has experienced loss.  “I know what it is like to lose someone.  Bad things happen to good people and you never know when something might happen.”

Linda wants to give her customers the tools to be prepared for the just in case.

Linda Worlow does not want insurance to be complicated.  She breaks down the basics for her customers and paints it in pictures that everyone can understand “We take time to explain.”

She also wants to find insurance to fit the budget for her client.

Linda and Joyce Marsh who has been with her since 2003 and is also fully licensed work together to ensure her customers get the policy to meet their needs.  “Joyce has the heart and eye for details that makes her a joy to work with,” Linda shared.

When Linda married Doyle, he was a truck driver – they drove his semi to their wedding. Then he retired and started driving a school bus.  After retiring from that, he now works as their receptionist and helps with home inspections - and serves as a general good will ambassador!  “Everyone knows Doyle, he charms the socks off everyone.”

Being on the square is a wonderful thing because they are part of the everyday happenings in the Virden community.  State Farm has always been supportive of being part of the local scene and Linda Worlow has lived that during her time in Virden.  She previously served as the Virden Chamber President, and also as Secretary.  In 2018, Linda was named “Business Person of the Year” by the Virden Chamber. She was a founding member Route 66 Blue Carpet Corridor and the Center for Independent Living founding member in Bloomington. 

Linda has also served on the Virden Mural Committee Member and as a Girard Local Talent Show Coordinator. Her expansive office front window displays holiday themes along with local happening announcements. And you’ll find Linda and Doyle actively participating in many of those events.  From taking kids pictures with the Easter Bunny and Santa, giving away free Chicken Dinners or children’s books, she is all about supporting her local community.

“Everyone needs insurance.  We need people who genuinely care about helping people make these important decisions,” Linda said.  “We are the ‘good neighbor’ in our ‘Like a good neighbor’, State Farm is there’ slogan.”

If you have questions for Linda, her website is State Farm Insurance Agent Linda Worlow in Virden IL.  You can reach her at 217-965-4747 or email her at linda.worlow.g3kh@statefarm.com.