Linn County News
Published September 20, 2023
Daniel Glen Needham took the long way home on Sept. 6, 2023, after fighting a long battle against cancer. We are sure he had to stop along the way and check out all the new fishing holes and visit with everyone he met along his journey. Danny never met a stranger and he always had a joke or a story to share with anyone who would listen.
Dan was born on Oct. 30, 1945, the son of Richard and Margaret Needham. He was raised in Mapleton, Kan., and attended high school in Blue Mound, Kan. Dan was a graduate of Pittsburg State University with a Master Degree in industrial arts. Danny could fix anything that needed to be fixed, including all the students he taught.
Danny’s educational career included caring for students in his first teaching job at Thayer, Kan., at the young age of 21. He instructed high school students in Shawnee Mission, Erie, and Mulvane, Kan. His college students in Parsons and Pratt, Kan., learned “hands on” as they constructed several new homes in their own communities from Dan’s Building Trade classes.
Dan is survived by his loving wife, Margueritte and three children, Ashleigh and Alex Needham of Oklahoma City, Okla., Kirsten Henderson of Wichita, Kan., and Jason and Josie Needham of Ruidoso, N.M.; grandchildren include: Aubrey and her husband Lance, Ayleigh, Atley, and Trey Henderson of Wichita, Kan., and four great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, James Needham of Kansas City, Kan., and Michael Needham of Topeka, Kan., and sister, Pamela Ham and husband Larry of Fort Scott, Kan. Danny’s parents proceeded him to heaven, along with his loving son-in-law, Jason Henderson of Wichita.
Dan was blessed with many best friends, 21 loving cousins, caring nephews and nieces, and a devote cousin-like-brother, Mel Wellington of Erie, Kan. Dan and his fishing, hunting, and card playing buddies spent many hours together as they traveled to Canada, North Dakota, Idaho and many other places trying to catch a fish or shoot a bird, but the most important event was to find out who the pitch playing CHAMPION might be for that trip.
From co-workers, to school administrators, to neighbors, to nephews, brother-in-laws, and the pup, you guys know who you are and Dan would call you each a “CHAMP” in his life. Keep doing what you love!
A celebration of life will take place at the Community of Christ Church in Mapleton, Kan., on Sept. 30 at 2 p.m. Following the services a meal will be served along with loving fellowship by everyone.
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]
More News
- USD 362 board rejects adding bus A/C
- SPECIAL: Blue Mound man seriously injured in accident
- Commissioners make official statement on Tanglewood roads
- La Cygne okays local police firing range
- Mound City council adopts rules for camping
- LCSO releases statement on incident
- Pleasanton requests 1-year automatic aid fire extension
- 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
- Prairie View softball defeats Osawatomie and Girard
- 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
OBITUARIES POLICY
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

