Linn County News
Published January 22, 2025
Bonnie Orene Miller, age 84, of Pleasanton, Kan., was welcomed home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025.
She was born the daughter of Harley and Dorothy Crall Myers on June 29, 1940, in Ottumwa, Iowa. The youngest of five sisters, Bonnie enjoyed walking in the park with her sisters, singing, swimming, and playing games. Her greatest love was babysitting, especially her sisters’ children with her oldest niece, Diana “DiDi” Cook (McCarl) and this is where her life-long love of taking care of others first started.
Bonnie caught the eye of a young Gerald “Jerry” Miller at Iowa Nazarene Church Camp and thus began their love story of 65 years. She married Jerry on Aug. 9, 1957, at the Keokuk Nazarene Church, in Keokuk, Iowa, and became a pastor’s wife. They pastored at Harlan, Lacona, and Fairfield, Iowa, before moving to Olathe, Kan., where they served together for over 25 years at College Church of the Nazarene. Throughout her life, Bonnie demonstrated unwavering faith, Christ-like humility, compassion for others and a servant’s heart. She was involved in countless ministries and church activities over the years, making a lasting impact on everyone she encountered.
Jerry and Bonnie retired to the small and welcoming community of Lake Chaparral/Pleasanton because it reminded them of their home state of Iowa. They were members of the Pleasanton Church of the Nazarene where Bonnie faithfully served in Women’s Ministry, Note Card Ministry, Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ministry and on the Church Board. They were married for 62 years, until Jerry preceded her in death on March 29, 2020.
Bonnie lived life to the fullest. She enjoyed gardening, was well known for her love of garage sales, thrift shopping and antiques. Anyone who was blessed enough to be hosted by Bonnie would remember her as a gracious host (who always made more than enough food), with many beautiful knick-knacks and oh so many precious moments! In her free time, when she was not tending to her flower beds, or spending time with her grandkids, she would often be found serving at church dinners and events. Her greatest achievement in life, and her pride and joy, was her family! She wanted to know that each one knew how deeply they were loved and that they had given their life to the Lord and was walking faithfully with Him.
She is survived by three sons, Darrell (Pam) Miller, Mound City; Kenneth (Ede) Miller, Lenexa, Kan.; and Brian (Joy) Miller, Rantoul, Kan.; and seven grandchildren, Ashley, Brandon, Rachelle, Stephen, Holly, Sara (Caleb), and Stetson and five great-grandchildren, Trenton, Teirnin, Tiana, Ashton and Marli, who will carry on her legacy of faith and love.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; two brothers; and four sisters.
A celebration of Bonnie’s life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 1, 10:30 a.m. at Pleasanton Church of the Nazarene, 1012 Laurel St, Pleasanton, Kan. 66075, officiated by her brother-in-law, Rev. Paul Miller. The family would love for you to join us in celebrating Bonnie’s bright and beautiful life and her love for flowers by wearing bright colors (she was particularly fond of blue, pink, and purple).
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to New Horizon Ranch, in Bonnie’s honor, reflecting her commitment to serving others in the name of Christ, and may be sent in care of Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 525, Pleasanton, Kan. 66075. Online condolences may be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.
OBITUARIES
Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith ~ 11-19-1935 to 06-07-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith passed away Saturday June 7, 2025, at the Stoneybrook Retirement Community in Manhattan. She was born on Nov. 19, 1935, in Topeka, Kan., to Neil and Gladys (Goldsmith)... [More]
Ron Arbogast ~ 08-31-1946 to 06-05-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Ron Arbogast, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, coach, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on June 5, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 78. Born Aug. 31, 1946, in Fort Scott, Kan.,... [More]
Richard “Dick” Smith ~ 04-18-1942 to 06-22-2025

Linn County News Published June 25, 2025 Richard "Dick" Smith, age 83, formerly of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away in Olathe, Kan., on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Graveside Service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 27, 2025, at the Pleasanton Cemetery. Contributions... [More]
More Obituaries
- Charles Edwin Sutterby ~ 06-20-1951 to 06-19-2025
- Windfred Allen DeMott ~ 09-15-1940 to 06-07-2025
- Maxine Breuel ~ 11-20-1926 to 06-07-2025
- Richard Paul Henderson ~ 07-26-1950 to 06-01-2025
- Rees Lyle Shattuck 08-31-1931 to 05-26-2025
- Dixie Bradley Wilkerson 10-15-1939 to 05-30-2025
- Gary Ray Johnson 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025
- Gary Ray Johnson ~ 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025
NEWS
NOTICE:

Due to a scheduling conflict, the commissioners will not be meeting today, June 25th, for a second budget workshop. The meeting has been rescheduled for July 2nd.
Tanglewood Lakes files suit against Board of County Commissioners

Requests declaratory judgement that roads are private The Tanglewood Lakes Owners Association, Inc. (TLOA), filed a lawsuit in Linn County District Court on June 6, 2025, against the Linn County Board of County Commissioners requesting a declaratory judgement from... [More]
Case filed alleging exploitation of minors, breach of privacy

On June 20, following an extensive investigation by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the Linn County Attorney’s Office filed a case in district court charging Erik Hellner, a Sugar Valley Lakes resident, with six separate felonies. The case originally stems from... [More]
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- NOTICE
- Commissioners discuss estimate on overlay project
- Pleasanton council meeting heated over fire personnel interviews
- La Cygne gas customers may see rate decrease
SPORTS
Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship

The Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team traveled to Wichita to compete in the Kansas Trapshooting State tournament. The tournament features more than 110 high schools and over 1,500 student athletes. Pleasanton/Jayhawk compete in the 2A competition which happened on June... [More]
Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad

Prairie View’s head boys’ wrestling Coach Joey Ewalt does more for the sport than just coaching the Buffalos, he has made an impact on the sport as a wrestler, coach and official. Ewalt began his wrestling career at the very young age of four. His father, Mike Ewalt,... [More]
More Sports
- Pleasanton and Jayhawk baseball on the 2025 All TRL team
- Jayhawk Linn softball has three All TRL unanimous selections
- Trenton Broyles leads Hawks at State track
- Prairie View track earns six medals at State
- Pleasanton’s Gratton wins two golds, sets meet record
- Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State
- School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka
- Prairie View track qualifies multiple athletes for State
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

