Linn County News
Published July 12, 2017
Cleland F. Allen, age 85, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away early Saturday, July 8, 2017, at the Medicalodge of Fort Scott. He was born Sept. 29, 1931, in Arkansas City, Kan., the son of McKinley Allen and Inez Adams Allen.
He graduated from the Mound City High School with the Class of 1949. Cleland served for 20 years with the United States Air Force. He retired in 1971 with the rank of tech sergeant.
Following his military service, he married Mary Dauben on April 16, 1976, in Nevada, Mo.
He worked for a time for Key Industries and also worked as a long haul trucker. He then worked for several years for Bourbon County.
He enjoyed traveling, reading and spending time with his family. He was a member of the Cherry Grove Baptist Church, the American Legion and the Olson Frary Burkhart Post No. 1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars where he frequently served with the VFW honor guard. He was also a past member of the Lions Club.
Survivors include his children, Rodney Allen and wife Sandy of Deer Lodge, Mont., Gary Simons and wife Liz of Kearney, Mo., Larry Joe Simons and wife Kim of Fort Scott, Janice Briggs and husband Dusty of Bushton, Kan., Sandra Newton and husband Paul Joe of Fort Scott, Connie Simons of Fairview, Okla., Pam Riedel of Liberty, Mo., and Diane Gray and husband Rob of Fort Scott; 19 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Vada Casteel and husband Max of Clinton, Mo., and Joyce Allen of Fort Scott; a sister-in-law, Minnie Lou Allen of Fort Scott; and numerous nieces and nephews.
His wife Mary preceded him in death on Feb. 1, 2014. He was also preceded in death by two sons, Bobby Simons and Billy Simons; two brothers, Morris and Ottis Allen; and a grandson, a great-grandson and a niece.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 13, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U.S. National Cemetery where military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post No. 1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 9 a.m. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Cherry Grove Baptist Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
OBITUARIES
Gary Ray Johnson ~ 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025

Linn County News Published June 4, 2025 Gary Ray Johnson, age 90 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on May 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, June 2, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home in Pleasanton, Kan. Visitation... [More]
Rees Lyle Shattuck ~ 08-31-1931 to 05-26-2025

Linn County News Published May 28, 2025 Rees Lyle Shattuck, age 93, Prescott, Kan., passed away Monday, May 26, 2025. He was born on Aug. 31, 1931, in Boicourt, Kan., the son of Rees Wilbur and Lulu Elizabeth Black Shattuck. He served his country in the United... [More]
Wayne Eldon Long ~ 07-03-1942 to 05-24-2025

Linn County News Published May 28, 2025 Wayne Eldon Long, age 82, of Parker, Kan., passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Wayne was born on July 3, 1942, in Garnett, Kan., the son of Homer Leon and Margaret Ethel (Collins) Long. He was one of three children and... [More]
More Obituaries
- John Ted Miles ~ 01-29-1960 to 05-01-2025
- Zachary Eldon White ~ 06-12-1992 to 04-29-2025
- Rebecca S. Landers 12-30-1964 to 04-18-2025
- Ira Johnathan “Sonny” Robinson ~ 04-10-1944 to 04-26-2025
- Paul Dean Benham ~ 09-23-1944 to 04-26-2025
- Bonnie Faye Bishop ~ 03-25-1949 to 04-22-2025
- Lois A. Murray ~ 11-03-1931 to 04-20-2025
- Dr. Howard F. Wilson ~ 02-05-1938 to 04-20-2025
NEWS
SPECIAL: Commission to vote Monday on Parker Center lease

Linn County commissioners plan to vote at their weekly 9 a.m. meeting next Monday, June 2, on a 99-year lease agreement with Parker and their Senior Center building. At Tuesday's weekly Commission meeting, delayed by a day because of Monday's federal Memorial Day observance,... [More]
Despite Chamber loss, Blast in the Park fireworks will go off

Council actions include split vote on deed conveyance Hearing of the disbandment of its local Chamber of Commerce, La Cygne leaders have verbally concurred that the city’s part in the annual Blast in the Park festivities will go on. Following that Chamber notification... [More]
Linn Valley discusses city hall funding sources

The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, with Mayor Lew Donelson presiding and all council members present. Donelson informed the council of two potential opportunities for funding a new City Hall building. ... [More]
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- Commissioners hear update, discuss aid agreement for Pleasanton FD
SPORTS
Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State

The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to West Franklin on May 22 to compete in the 3A Regional. As a team the girls placed 10th with a score of 22.5 points while the boys were fifth with 56 points. This year the top three places in each event qualify for the State meet then... [More]
School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka

The Pleasanton track team traveled to Eureka on May 22 for a 2A Regional track meet. This year the top three places advance to the State meet along the top four times/distances not from the top three from all other Regionals. This year the Jays qualified eight athletes in seven... [More]
More Sports
- Lady Hawks win league as Hawks host TRL meet
- Pleasanton track sets school records at Pioneer League track meet
- Prairie View track sets meet and league records at Wellsville
- Pleasanton baseball splits against Jayhawk
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- Jayhawk baseball earns win over Pleasanton
- Prairie View track has a great day as they host home invitational
- Jayhawk track places top three at Prairie View
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

