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
Jean Driskell ~ 03-22-1943 to 07-18-2025

Linn County News Published July 23, 2025 Jean Driskell, age 82, formerly of La Cygne, Kan., passed away Friday, July 18, 2025. Memorial service will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home, La Cygne Chapel. Visitation... [More]
Burton Clyde Brownback ~ 05-21-1953 to 07-13-2025

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Burton Clyde Brownback, age 72, Tri-Ko resident in Osawatomie, Kan., passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025. He was born on May 21, 1953, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Clyde and Shirley Drake Brownback. He graduated from Prairie View... [More]
Ruth Ann Antrim ~ 05-21-1951 to 07-07-2025

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Ruth Ann Antrim, formerly Hueston, passed away July 7, 2025, after bravely battling cancer for many years. Ruth Ann was 74 years old. She lived and worked in the Mound City and Fort Scott, Kan., areas her... [More]
More Obituaries
- Helen Maxine Wright ~ 05-28-1939 to 06-19-2025
- Kelly Kehl ~ 03-25-1938 to 06-28-2025
- Kandi Kay Cruse ~ 03-29-1958 to 06-27-2025
- Jessica Cae Pritchett ~ 08-30-1981 to 06-26-2025
- Jackie Junior “Jack” Hewitt ~ 07-17-1935 to 06-18-2025
- Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith ~ 11-19-1935 to 06-07-2025
- Ron Arbogast ~ 08-31-1946 to 06-05-2025
- Richard “Dick” Smith ~ 04-18-1942 to 06-22-2025
NEWS
Special: Resurfacing to begin on U.S. 69 in Linn County

A Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) resurfacing project on U.S. 69 in Linn County will begin the week of July 28. The project will resurface U.S. 69 with ultrathin bonded asphalt for just over 7 miles from Pleasanton to just north of... [More]
Pleasanton FD again at center of heated discussion

The majority of heated discussion came at the end of the Pleasanton City Council meeting Monday night during council discussion when Council people Bill Skipper and Angelina Randall squared off concerning the recent ISO inspection that occurred at the fire department. Skipper... [More]
La Cygne city to be below revenue neutral

Ad valorem revenue will decrease by almost $16,600, levy by over 7.6 mills The city of La Cygne will not only be revenue neutral but actually below neutral on its 2026 municipal budget. That was the report from Jodi Wade, city clerk, at last Wednesday’s regular... [More]
More News
- USD 362 files revenue-neutral exceedances
- Commissioners discuss airport future, request more information
- SPECIAL: Resurfacing on U.S. 59 in Anderson County to begin in August 4
- Commissioners vote to exceed revenue neutral
- Mulberry Limestone CUP approved by P & Z
- SPECIAL: Benefits question an issue for county employees
- Commissioners discuss various budgets
- City learns of fire gear condition
SPORTS
Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship

Eight members of the Pleasanton Trapshooting Team traveled to Mason, Mich., last week to compete in the USA Clay Target League National Championship. Five members participated in the team event, and all eight competed individually. The team was among 264 qualified teams competing... [More]
Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest

The Blue Mound girls’ coach pitch team 1 places second at the TRL girls’ coach pitch tournament at Colony. The tournament took place from July 7 to July 9.
More Sports
- Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament
- Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship
- Gratton at Nationals
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship
- Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad
- Prairie View trapshooting competes at State
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

