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
Donna Lee (Bishop) Stites ~ 02-13-1941 to 03-26-2025

Linn County News Published April 2, 2025 Donna Lee (Bishop) Stites, age 84, of Mound City, Kan., passed away peacefully in her sleep March 26, 2025, at the Olathe Medical Center, after an extended illness. Born on Feb. 13, 1941, the third child of Jacob and... [More]
Frank Scott DeRemus ~ 06-21-1967 to 03-04-2025

Linn County News Published April 2, 2025 Frank Scott DeRemus age 57 of Blue Mound, Kan., passed away Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at his home in Blue Mound. Scott was born June 21, 1967, in Olathe, Kan., to Frank Fox and Sharon K. (Chadwick) DeRemus. On August 11, 1994,... [More]
Douglas Eugene Joseph ~ 08-06-1964 to 03-16-2025

Linn County News Published April 2, 2025 Douglas Eugene Joseph, 60, of Fort Scott, Kan., died Sunday, March 16, 2025, at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, Mo. Doug was born on Aug. 6, 1964, in Pittsburg, Kan., to Jean Ann Jones. He graduated from high school... [More]
More Obituaries
- Linda Sue Tyson ~ 01-24-1942 to 03-21-2025
- Brent Ross Wheeler ~ July 27, 1956 – March 22, 2025
- Alice Walker ~ 09-03-1928 to 03-20-2025
- Colton James McCammon ~ 08-26-2003 to 03-15-2025
- Kenneth Lawrence Sloan ~ 01-24-1950 to 03-11-2025
- Lois Joan Streeter ~ 11-18-1931 to 03-05-2025
- Lila R. McCarty ~ 05-21-1938 to 03-08-2025
- Norma Jean Harvey ~ 09-26-1935 to 02-21-2025
NEWS
SPECIAL: STATEHOUSE REPORTING BUDGET FOR MARCH 28, 2025

FETALPERSONHOOD – The House and Senate on Thursday passed a bill that will require child support for unborn fetuses from the date of conception as well as an income tax exemption. A conference committee report was presented for HB2062 before the... [More]
SPECIAL: U.S. 69 overlay project set to begin in Bourbon and Linn counties

Monday, March 31, the Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin resurfacing work on U.S. 69 in Bourbon and Linn counties. An overlay will be placed on the northbound lanes of U.S. 69, starting at the south U.S. 54 junction in Fort Scott and continuing... [More]
Commissioners learn of grant for planning phase on courthouse repairs

During the March 24 meeting, the Linn County Commissioners heard from Linn County Public Works Administrator Shaun West on a grant possibility for repair work to the courthouse. SEKRPC (SEK Regional Planning Commission) is willing to assist with the HPF (Historic Preservation... [More]
More News
- La Cygne accepts deed conveyance on split vote
- Commissioners hear from resident on subdivision meeting
- SPECIAL: K-52 resurfacing project will begin soon
- Linn Valley imposes moratorium on new water and sewer construction
- Wind and fire damage dots county
- County hears from Tanglewood residents during public comment
- Commissioners discuss new option for Devlin Road
- Board votes to extend Meik contract
SPORTS
2025 Boys’ Basketball All County team

The 2024-2025 high school boys’ basketball has concluded and it is time once again for the annual All County team. As usual choosing the team was tough as there were many good players this season and plenty more that showed steady progress through the season. As... [More]
2025 Girls’ Basketball All County team

High school girls’ basketball has concluded for the 2024-25 season and it’s time for the annual All County team. Like the boys’ team, and like most years, choosing players was tough. Plenty of girls from all three schools, Prairie View, Jayhawk Linn and Pleasanton,... [More]
More Sports
- A season in review: Jayhawk Linn wrestling
- A season in review: Prairie View wrestling
- Pleasanton boys’ basketball earns Sub-State runner-up
- Prairie View girls’ basketball ends season against Neodesha
- Case leads Prairie View girls’ wrestling with a second-place finish
- McCarty leads Lady Hawks with a fourth-place finish at State
- Blu-Jays win sub-state shootout
- Jayhawk boys’ wrestling sends five to State
OBITUARIES POLICY
• May be mailed, e-mailed, faxed or hand delivered.
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

