Linn County News
Published November 20, 2024
Charles Schmitz, age 76, of rural Tonganoxie, Kan., and previously of Bonner Springs, Kan., passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at the Bonner Springs Church of the Nazarene. His family will greet friends and family at a gathering following the service also at the Church. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Bonner Springs Church of the Nazarene.
Charles was born on July 21, 1948, in Mound City and was one of four children born to Bill and Ruby (Croan) Schmitz. He grew up near Mound City and graduated from Mound City High School in the Class of 1966. Charles then attended Pittsburg State University and graduated in 1970 with a Bachelors in Accounting. After being drafted into the US Navy in 1970, Charles started his 20 years of serving in the United States Navy on the USS John. F, Kennedy Air Craft Carrier during his active-duty time, as well as, several other carriers during his Active Navy Reserve years. During his time working as a Computer Program at Cooper Communities in Bella Vista, Ark., Charles met Carol Phillips. On Aug. 30, 1980, in Clifty, Ark., Charles married the love of his life, Carol, and together they followed his career of being a computer programmer in the Oil Industry, living in Oklahoma and Louisiana before settling in Bonner Springs where they raised their two daughters. After 12 years, Charles retired from working at the Training Management System Division of the U.S. Army in 2019. He and Carol have been members of the Bonner Springs Church of the Nazarene since 1984, and Charles was also a lifetime member of the Tonganoxie VFW. He enjoyed playing bridge, hunting and fishing, anything outdoors, as long as it was with his friends and family.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Ruby. Survivors include his wife Carol Schmitz of the home; two daughters: Jennifer Schmitz of Pittsburg, Kan., Rachel Reynolds and husband Colby of Tonganoxie, Kan.; three grandchildren: Curtis, Charlie and Benjamin; siblings Larry Schmitz of Mound City, Kan., Dale Schmitz and wife Sharon of Springfield, Mo., Connie Villers and husband Lynn of Pleasanton, Kan., as well as several extended family and friends.
OBITUARIES
Bonnie Faye Bishop ~ 03-25-1949 to 04-22-2025

Linn County News Published April 30, 2025 Bonnie Faye Bishop, age 76, Olathe, Kan., passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2025. She was born on March 25, 1949, in Kansas City, Mo., the daughter of William and Imogene Krueger Carter. After graduating from high... [More]
Lois A. Murray ~ 11-03-1931 to 04-20-2025

Linn County News Published April 30, 2025 Lois A. Murray, age 93, formerly of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Overland Park, Kan. Lois was born the daughter of Arlie and Winifred Stanhope Poindexter on Nov. 3, 1931, near Drexel, Mo.... [More]
Dr. Howard F. Wilson ~ 02-05-1938 to 04-20-2025

Linn County News Published April 23, 2025 Dr. Howard F. Wilson, age 87, of Garnett, Kan., passed away on Sunday, April 20, 2025, at St. Luke’s South Hospital in Overland Park, Kan. Howard Frank Wilson was born on Feb. 5, 1938, in Garden City, Mo. He was the... [More]
More Obituaries
- Anna Louise Stites ~ 09-27-1946 to 04-13-2025
- Sandra Kay “Sandy” Crooks ~ 01-08-1949 to 04-13-2025
- Richard Lee Keaton ~ 01-29-1935 to 04-05-2025
- Linda Ann Pruitt ~ 05-08-1953 to 04-07-2025
- Ira “Sonny” Ray Caruthers, Jr. ~ 05-23-1955 to 04-02-2025
- Michelle Lynn Young ~ 05-20-1967 to 04-04-2025
- Phyllis Sybil Colbert ~ 11-23-1935 to 03-28-2025
- Joseph Francis “Mr. Joe” Cunningham ~ 03-17-1967 to 03-31-2025
NEWS
SPECIAL: Legislative Update

April 18, 2025 Kansas Land and Military Installation Protection Act, SB 9, prohibits foreign adversaries from purchasing property within 100 miles of a military installation and any foreign adversary ownership of non-residential real property purchased prior to July 1, 2025,... [More]
16 criminal cases from Tanglewood Lake incident dismissed

Late Wednesday afternoon, April 16, orders were filed dismissing all 16 current cases on file in Linn County District Court concerning the Tanglewood Lake gate incident, 14 of which were filed against separate individuals that stemmed from the incident in May 2023. According... [More]
Tanglewood seeks clarification, aid from county

During the April 21 meeting, Linn County Commissioner Jason Hightower reported to his fellow board members that he had met with the Tanglewood Lake board president and a resident the previous week and noted that they wanted a resolution or motion that clarified if the roads are... [More]
More News
- Commission workshop hears of justification for SEKMHC CEO $600,000 salary
- La Cygne police get automatic plate readers
- Notice
- Public comment results in allegations of unethical behavior
- Parker reinstates local policing
- Two charged following vehicular incident in Parker
- Pleasanton approves zoning request
- La Cygne leaders talk future street improvements
SPORTS
Jayhawk track wins the Pleasanton Invitational

The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to Pleasanton on April 15 for the Pleasanton Invitational. The Hawks did very well as both the boys’ and girls’ teams won the meet. The girls won with a score of 188 points while the boys won with a score of 127 points. There were... [More]
Pleasanton track places in top three at home invitational

The Pleasanton track team hosted their home invitational on April 15. The Jays did well as both the boys’ and girls’ teams placed in the top three out of nine teams. The boys were second with 92 points while the girls were third with 107.5 points. “It was... [More]
More Sports
- Jayhawk baseball earns first victories of the season
- Pleasanton boys’ and girls’ track teams win Oswego Invitational
- Prairie View softball falls in league contest to Iola
- Prairie View softball drops close games against Santa Fe Trail
- Pleasanton baseball falls to Southeast Cherokee and Marmaton Valley
- Jayhawk softball splits against Central Heights
- Prairie View softball starts season 3-1
- Pleasanton baseball opens season 2-2 against Oswego and Crest
OBITUARIES POLICY
• May be mailed, e-mailed, faxed or hand delivered.
• Must be received by 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning in order to appear in that week's edition.
• Obituaries submitted by funeral homes will be billed to the funeral home.
• Full obituaries submitted by individuals are required to be paid in advance.
• Cost: $40 for 300 words or less. Each additional word over 300, 10¢. Photograph $5.
Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

