Christopher William Otto
10-22-1980 to 07-11-2019
Linn County News
Published July 17, 2019
Christopher William Otto, age 38, Mound City, Kan., passed away on Thursday, July 11, 2019, near Rawlins, Wyo., as the result of an auto accident. He was born in Fort Scott, Kan., on Oct. 22, 1980, the son of Kenneth and Linda Harlow Otto.
He graduated from Jayhawk-Linn High School in the Class of 1999. He attended Pittsburg State University and later received an Associate’s Degree from Kaw Valley Technical School in Topeka, Kan.
He married Melody McKnight-Gray on Jan. 10, 2009, in Uniontown, Kan.
Most of his working career was spent in landscape management. He worked the last 16 years as an equipment operator for C.S. Carey. He also enjoyed taking care of the cows on the ranch.
Chris loved his family. He was very involved in activities they participated in. He liked to talk Chiefs, Royals and golf with his dad, and staying in touch with friends.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Ruth Harlow; and his paternal grandmother, Faye Otto.
Chris is survived by his wife, Melody; two sons, Brandon and Trenton Gray; two daughters, Addison and London Otto; father Kenneth Otto and wife Diana; mother Linda Thornton and husband Jerry; a sister, Rachel Benbrook and husband Denym; paternal grandfather Carl Otto; maternal grandfather Frank Harlow; three stepbrothers, Jeff Harlow, Keith Harlow and wife Melissa, and Kyle Harlow; and stepsisters Jayne Ann Conklin and husband Jack, and Dianna Butler; three nieces, Peyton Benbrook, Sawyer Faye Benbrook and Harper McKnight; and one nephew, Hayden McKnight.
Funeral service was scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at the Mound City First Baptist Church with burial in the Curry Cemetery.
Contributions are suggested to the Chris Otto Children's Fund, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, Box J, Mound City, KS 66056. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com
OBITUARIES
Kelly Kehl ~ 03-25-1938 to 06-28-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Kelly Kehl, age 87, of Mound City, Kan., passed away Saturday, June 28, 2025, at his rural Mound City home. Kelly was born March 25, 1938, south of Parker, Kan., to Keith (Tom) Emerson Kehl and Helen Edith (Giffin) Kehl. Kelly... [More]
Kandi Kay Cruse ~ 03-29-1958 to 06-27-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Kandi Kay Cruse passed away on June 27, 2025, at the age of 67 after a valiant battle with cancer. Born on March 29, 1958, in Colorado Springs, Colo., Kandi’s zest for life and carefree spirit were evident from an early age. She... [More]
Jessica Cae Pritchett ~ 08-30-1981 to 06-26-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Jessica Cae Pritchett age 43 of Parker, Kan., died Thursday, June 26, 2025, at Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Visitation will be 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Eddy Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie, Kan. ... [More]
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- Jackie Junior “Jack” Hewitt ~ 07-17-1935 to 06-18-2025
- Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith ~ 11-19-1935 to 06-07-2025
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- Richard “Dick” Smith ~ 04-18-1942 to 06-22-2025
- 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
NEWS
special: SCOTUS agrees to hear Women's Sports Case

Case paves the way for states to continue to protect women and girl's athletic opportunities Topeka, Kan. July 3, 2025 - Today, the Supreme Court of the United States granted certiorari in Hecox v. Little and West Va., v. BPJ. Rep.... [More]
SPECIA;: Schmidt Votes to Cancel Massive Tax Hike, Secure Border, and Lower Federal Spending

WASHINGTON, DC: Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) issued the following statement regarding passage of the budget reconciliation bill by the U.S. House of Representatives, also called the “One Big Beautiful Bill”: “Last November,... [More]
NOTICE:

The Linn County News and Linn County Printing offices will be closed on Friday, July 4, in honor of the holiday.
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SPORTS
Gratton at Nationals

Pleasanton’s Ashton Gratton qualifies for the Adidas Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina after winning the 100 and 200 meter dashes in the KSHSAA 2A State tournament in Wichita on May 31. The Adidas Nationals took place from June 20-22 and Gratton did well in both the... [More]
Summer Ball Tournaments

The Parker 8-11 baseball team 1 places first in their league tournament at La Cygne on June 28. See more photos on page B1 of this week's edition.
More Sports
- 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
- 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
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

