Linn County News
Published Jan. 26, 2022
Douglas Leonard Whitcraft, son of the late Donald Francis Sr. and Bernice Rose (Benson) Whitcraft, was born on Dec. 5, 1958, in Cleveland, Mo., and began his eternal journey with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on the evening of Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, while at the Hospice House in Olathe, Kan., with his loving family by his side having attained the age of 63.
Doug attended Living Proof Church in Paola, Kan. He was passionate about the gospel of Christ and wanted everyone to come to know Jesus as their Savior but also their Lord – living their lives in a relationship with Him, not being religious. He believed in "letting the Spirit drive" – turning everything over to God and following Him unashamedly.
Doug and Susie met in third grade. They had an on again, off again relationship throughout high school until their senior year when it stuck. They both gave their lives to Christ and to each other and never looked back. They were married over 44 years and blessed with four amazing children whom they raised in the 100-plus-year-old home Susie's dad helped Doug to remodel.
Doug graduated from Cass Midway High School in 1977. While there he played football for the Midway Vikings where they had a perfect season his senior year going 13-0 and won MO 1-A championship. Doug was the season MVP.
He then attended Evangel University with a double major in social sciences and physical education and a concentration in Bible. He graduated with the honors of summa cum laude and Most Outstanding Physical Education graduate. He later completed his master’s in education administration at Pittsburg University, needing just his dissertation to receive his doctorate.
Doug grew up in Freeman, Mo., living there until he married Susie Woodall on July 16, 1977. The happy couple then moved to Springfield for college. They later moved to Kansas City, Kan., where Doug taught at Piper High School for six years. He and Susie then moved to La Cygne, Kan., where he taught history and weight training. He also coached basketball and track for 30 years. During most of his teaching years you could find Doug on the football field coaching high school football, something he was also passionate about as he felt it taught so many life skills to young men as it did him. Doug also taught respect, trust, loyalty and excellence, pushing young adults to be the best at everything they sought out to achieve in life.
Doug leaves behind to cherish his memory, his beloved wife Susie Whitcraft of the home; four children, Krista and Shad Edwards of Dadeville, Mo., Jeriah and Amory Whitcraft of Spring Hill, Kan., Caleb and Molly Whitcraft of Paola, Kan., and Anna “Annie” and Adam Oursbourn of Richland, Mo.; and his five beloved grandchildren, the apple of their grandfather’s eye, Alexa, Haylee, Hagan, Ashton and Jacob. Later in life, Doug was blessed with bonus children. Those include Karrie and Jared Oxford and Tylor and Katie Hermanson. Also surviving are three brothers, Donald Whitcraft of El Reno, Okla., David Whitcraft of Ashville, N.C., and Dean Whitcraft of Neosho, Mo.; two sisters, Donice Parker of Virginia Beach, Va., and Debbie Morrow of Virginia Beach, Va.; and several nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Doug will be missed beyond words and leaves a lasting legacy for those who knew and loved him. However, his final wishes are for you to have a personal relationship with God just as he did. Doug wants you to have the assurance as to where you will be spending eternity. God is in the forgiving and cleansing business. He wants you to come just as you are! Won’t you seek out a pastor or someone today who can show you how to come into the presence of our living God?
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to be made in memory of Doug Whitcraft, to The Living Proof Church for The Good News Scholarship Fund, which may be given to or mailed directly to The Living Proof Church at 32401 Harmony Road, Paola, Kan. 66071.
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]
More Obituaries
- 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
- 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.
More News
- Pleasanton awarded $617,000 KDOT street grant
- Commissioners discuss development zoning appeals
- Questions on employee emails leads to lengthy discussion
- NOTICE:
- Tanglewood Lakes files suit against Board of County Commissioners
- Case filed alleging exploitation of minors, breach of privacy
- La Cygne executes pool bond defeasance
- CANCELED: Statewide Purple Alert issued for missing Yates Center woman
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

