Linn County News
Published Aug. 10, 2022
Merle A. Beckman, age 86, Mound City, Kan., passed away Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022. He was born in rural La Cygne, Kan., on Oct. 5, 1935, the son of Charles and Neeva (Neal) Beckman. He graduated from La Cygne Rural High School in the Class of 1954.
He began a career in the auto industry in 1957, in a sales position with Kipper Chevrolet in Pleasanton, Kan. In 1977, he began working at Pointer Motors in Garnett, Kan. He bought the dealership in 1983 and acquired Anderson Ford in 1988; the two becoming Beckman Motors. He was involved in the business until 2017.
Merle was united in marriage to Gloria Daly on March 2, 1961. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Mound City, the Scottish Rite and Mirza Temple in Pittsburg, Kan. Merle loved his family, even though he might not have verbalized it. He had a passion for pulling horses. He and longtime friend, Kendall Hutton, began pulling ponies in 1962. Before the duo’s career was finished, they pulled ponies and draft horses in eight different states and amassed thousands of miles together. Merle won the Kansas State Fair pulling match in Hutchinson for seven straight years, six of them with the famous team of Bonnie and Clyde. Total, he won eighty-three matches with that team.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Bernard, Elmer, Lisle, and Seth Beckman; two sisters, Gladys Lane and Fern Bazules; and one grandson, Brant Beckman.
Merle is survived by his wife, Gloria; four sons, Raymond Beckman (Lori), Richard Beckman (Lauri), Rande Beckman (Sharon), and Cleve Beckman (Brenda); a daughter, Chilesa Bruner (Van); a sister, Edna Debrick; a great-nephew, Ronnie Beckman; sister in law and running partner, Joyce and Kendall Hutton; sixteen grandchildren; twenty four great-grandchildren and one on the way.
A gathering to celebrate Merle’s life will be held 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel. Contributions are suggested to Children’s Mercy Hospital. Online condolences can be left at www.s
OBITUARIES
David Howard McNabb, Ph.D. ~ 06-04-1947 to 05-11-2024
Linn County News Published May 15, 2024 David Howard McNabb, 76, passed away May 11, 2024 at home in Edmonton, Alberta Canada. The son of a farmer, Dave was born June 4, 1947, to Henry and Alice (Jackson) McNabb at Pleasanton. Education and research were always... [More]
Marci Ann Betts ~ 08-06-1973 to 05-09-2024
Linn County News Published May 15, 2024 Marci Ann Betts, age 50, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Thursday, May 9, 2024. She was born on Aug. 6, 1973, in Kansas City, Mo. Marci loved her grandkids and enjoyed spending time with them. She enjoyed being outdoors. She... [More]
Randall Jay “Randy” Crisler ~ 10-03-1961 to 05-09-2024
Linn County News Published May 15, 2024 Randall Jay “Randy” Crisler age 62 of Lane, Kan., died Thursday May 9, 2024, at Olathe Medical Center. Randy was born Oct. 03, 1961, in North Kansas City, Mo. He was the eldest of two, born to Larry L. and Janet... [More]
More Obituaries
- Clarence Lee Miller ~ 08-07-1962 to 05-08-2024
- Ruby M. Nielson ~ 01-21-1932 to 04-27-2024
- Patty Conklin ~ 08-31-1932 to 04-26-2024
- Robert “Bob” Eugene Markley ~ 04-11-1936 to 04-15-2024
- Ronald Joe Smith ~ 05-10-1944 to 04-11-2024
- Mary Tinsley ~ 12-15-1935 to 04-09-2024
- Frederick John “Fritz” Johanning, Jr. ~ 08-10-1948 to 03-26-2024
- Doris Maxine Basore ~ 01-02-1920 to 03-10-2024
NEWS
Commissioners hear engineer on Hell’s Bend Bridge
Motion to accept grant funds fails for lack of second Linn County Public Works Administrator Shawn West spoke to Commissioners again this week on the Hell’s Bend bridge project, northwest of La Cygne, noting that a decision needed to be made that day as it was... [More]
Pleasanton pound pups get new kennels
After a warning from the state concerning the condition of Pleasanton’s animal shelter, the city and STARS faculty and students joined forces to create a safer, cleaner environment for dogs held by the city. The new kennels were constructed by STARS welding, construction... [More]
Pleasanton discusses Kansas Police & Fire Pension membership
While trying to hire more police officers, the Pleasanton Council met with KPERS representative Paige Ashley to discuss enrolling the city in Kansas Police and Fire Pension System (KP&F). Ashley explained that the KP&F system is two-tiered as police officers and firemen... [More]
More News
- Commissioners hear reports on Hell’s Bend Bridge
- La Cygne Fire Station ribbon cutting held
- Evergy reps speak about bridges at commissioners’ meeting
- Special: U.S. 69 resurfacing project starts this week
- Special: Governor issues State of Disaster Emergency proclamation for approaching severe weather
- Commissioners hear damage report, declare county as state, local disaster site
- Mayor vetoes vacating 7th Street off of Main
- USD 362 to wait on admin addition
SPORTS
Jayhawk Linn track wins Three Rivers League meet
The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to Northeast Arma on May 9 to compete in the Three Rivers League meet. The Hawks were the class of the Three Rivers as both the boys and girls placed first at the meet. The girls placed first with a score of 121 while the boys placed first... [More]
Pleasanton baseball falls in Regional semifinal
The Pleasanton baseball team entered the Central Heights 2-1A Regional tournament as a three seed. The Jays hosted the six seed Jayhawk Linn in their first game on May 8 and won 7-5. The next game was at Central Heights on May 13 where they faced the two seed Crest. This is where... [More]
More Sports
- Jayhawk and Pleasanton baseball split in double header
- Prairie View softball goes 4-0 against Osawatomie and Girard
- Jayhawk track has a strong performance at home invitational
- Prairie View track takes top two places at Jayhawk
- Pleasanton track has a school record mark set at Jayhawk Invitational
- Prairie View softball goes 4-2 in busy week
- Pleasanton baseball sweeps St. Paul and Oswego
- Jayhawk baseball splits against Southeast Cherokee
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com