Linn County News
Published July 3, 2024
Billy Sherwin Hardesty, of Linn Valley, Kan., died on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at Shawnee Gardens, in Shawnee Mission, Kan. Billy was born April 7, 1942, in Platte City, Mo., to Lowell S. and Delvina (Anderson) Hardesty, Sr. Billy graduated from Park Hill High School in the class of 1960. He graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1964. Billy was the first Mayor of Linn Valley. He held a variety of jobs throughout the years, most notably as an office manager for his brother Lowell’s State Farm Insurance office in Overland Park, Kan., for 21 years.
Billy was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Jill Hardesty in 2015; one step-son, Jarrod W. Manford in 2016.
Survivors include his wife of 31 and 1/2 years, Sandra (Skare) Hardesty; one son William Teague Hardesty; one daughter Angela Kuehn (Kevin); one step-son, Daniel Manford (Mary); two stepdaughters, Teresa Mayer and Cynthia Rowlands; one brother, Lowell S. Hardesty, Jr. (Kaye); one sister Sherry Hinebaugh (Nick); two granddaughters, Emily and Anna Cormack; six step-grandchildren, Sydney Olea (Alex), Scotty Rowlands (Laura), Nicky Rowlands (Renee), Jefferson Manford, Jewel Manford (Jake), and Cooper Mayer; and seven step-great-grandchildren.
The family will hold a Celebration of Life this fall at the Hardesty Farm. Friends and family may leave online condolences at www.schneiderfunerals.com.
OBITUARIES
Lonnie Dale Sprague ~ 11-15-1954 to 12-27-2025
Linn County News Published December 31, 2025 Lonnie Dale Sprague, age 71, of Kincaid, Kan., passed away on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. Lonnie was born on Nov. 15, 1954, in Iola, Kan., the first of three children born to Dale and Fern (Huggins) Sprague. He grew up... [More]
Airen Joseph Andula ~ 09-18-2012 to 12-22-2025
Linn County News Published December 31, 2025 Airen Joseph, "Airbear" Andula, age 13, of Pleasanton, Kan., died Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. He was born on Sept. 18, 2012, in Kansas City, Kan., the son of Charles Andula and Anita Swan Gunn. He was a 7th grade student... [More]
Mark Ashley Maris ~ 02-22-1963 to 12-27-2025
Linn County News Published December 31, 2025 Mark Ashley Maris, age 62, La Cygne, Kan., passed away Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. He was born on Feb. 22, 1963, in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Ashley and Catherine Maxine Mendenhall Maris. He graduated from Prairie... [More]
More Obituaries
- Wilma Louise Reeves ~ 07-03-1936 to 12-18-2025
- Russell Glen “Rusty” Moore ~ 06-19-1956 to 12-02-2025
- Carl A. Otto ~ 02-12-1926 to 12-06-2025
- Rose Anna Templin ~ 01-18-1959 to 11-22-2025
- Randal Lloyd “Randy” Bresee ~ 12-22-1962 to 11-26-2025
- Roberta May Staton ~ 04-23-1925 to 11-27-2025
- Leland Ray Underwood ~ 07-16-1946 to 11-02-2025
- Donald E. Johnson ~ 08-22-1940 to 11-11-2025
NEWS
Missouri case filed following death of Holiday Lakes’ teen
Kansas charges filed by KCKPD A case was filed in Bates County, Mo., Circuit Court, following the arrest of Damon Leonard, 47, of Holiday Lakes in rural Pleasanton, in connection with the death of 13-year-old Airen Andula, also of Holiday Lakes. Leonard was charged... [More]
Commissioners hear from SEKMHC board member on services, salaries
The Linn County Commissioners met on Monday, Dec. 29, for their regular weekly meeting in which they made a few additions to the agenda, including a report from District Court and a discussion on mental health issues with Tisha Coleman. Coleman began by introducing herself... [More]
NOTICE: Boil Water Advisory Issued for the City of Blue Mound, Linn County
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the City of Blue Mound public water supply system located in Linn County. Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice: ... [More]
More News
- Commissioners review numbers for park and marina
- Skipper resigns from Pleasanton Council
- SPECIAL: Missing persons case takes tragic turn
- SPECIAL: Missing Juvenile – Public Assistance Requested
- Wagon Wheel Restaurant lost in Tuesday night blaze
- Christmas food distributions this weekend
- Commissioners given update on mental health outreach at jail
- Motocross track CUP discussed at county P&Z
SPORTS
Blu-Jay boys sweep and girls split against Altoona Midway and Uniontown
The Pleasanton boys’ and girls’ basketball teams played Three River League opponents this past week as they traveled to Altoona Midway on Dec. 16 and then to Uniontown on Dec. 19. To see the full article, check out this week's edition of the Linn County News or... [More]
Prairie View girls’ basketball falls to Santa Fe Trail and Iola
The Prairie View girls’ basketball teams had two Pioneer League opponents this week in Santa Fe Trail and Iola. The Lady Buffs traveled to Santa Fe Trail on Dec. 16 and hosted Iola on Dec. 18. To see the full article, check out this week's edition of the Linn County News... [More]
Jayhawk girls’ basketball dominates Southeast Cherokee and Erie
The Jayhawk girls’ basketball team continued their winning ways this past week as they faced TRL foes Southeast Cherokee and Erie. The girls hosted Cherokee on Dec. 16 before traveling to Erie on Dec. 19. To see the full article, check out this week's edition of the... [More]
More Sports
- Prairie View girls’ basketball places second at Linn County Tournament
- Pleasanton boys’ basketball place second at Linn County Tournament with a solid performance
- Jayhawk girls’ basketball wins the Linn County Tournament
- Prairie View boys’ wrestling competes in the Fort Scott dual tournament
- Jayhawk Linn girls’ wrestling kicks off season with a solid performance at Caney Valley
- Pleasanton basketball opens season with wins over Marmaton Valley
- Prairie View football has 10 players make the All Pioneer League team
- Dawson signs with Pitt State
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com
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