November 6, 2026

Linn County News

Published November 11, 2026

Mary Fyock Simpson, formerly of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. She was born on Oct. 18, 1947, in Pleasanton, Kan., the daughter of
Floyd and Virginia Coffman Fyock. She graduated from Pleasanton High School in the Class of 1965 and following graduation she attended cosmetology school at Fort Scott Community College. After working in that profession for a while, she then changed directions and started working in the accounting department at Key Industries in Fort Scott. She later held positions at several other accounting offices including the local
newspaper. Once Mary found her way into the newspaper industry, she worked her way
through the various aspects of newspaper operations and management before
becoming the editor of the local paper; a job she thoroughly loved. She later retired as editor of the Linn County News.

Mary’s belief in God was always strong and while her
faith was first, it was followed very closely by loving and caring for her family. She was
active in the Pleasanton Presbyterian Church and was involved with the Ladies
Auxiliary. Her favorite pastimes were genealogy and spending time with her family, especially hosting family dinners. She also enjoyed sewing, crocheting, painting, crafting, playing cards and writing.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Virginia Fyock; a brother, Charles C. Fyock; and a sister, Eleanore Bowers. Mary is survived by her three beloved children, daughters Alexandria (Danny) Childers and Laurie Masters; and son Joshua (Renea) Marshall; four grandchildren, Zachary, Zoe, Stephen, and Christopher. Other
survivors include her nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great-nephews, and her best friend since childhood, Ruth Ann Weaver.

Mary will be remembered for her smile, creativity, independent spirit, infectious laugh and her beautiful blue eyes. Above all, she will be remembered for the love she shared so generously with those around her.