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
Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith ~ 11-19-1935 to 06-07-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith passed away Saturday June 7, 2025, at the Stoneybrook Retirement Community in Manhattan. She was born on Nov. 19, 1935, in Topeka, Kan., to Neil and Gladys (Goldsmith)... [More]
Ron Arbogast ~ 08-31-1946 to 06-05-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Ron Arbogast, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, coach, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on June 5, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 78. Born Aug. 31, 1946, in Fort Scott, Kan.,... [More]
Richard “Dick” Smith ~ 04-18-1942 to 06-22-2025

Linn County News Published June 25, 2025 Richard "Dick" Smith, age 83, formerly of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away in Olathe, Kan., on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Graveside Service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 27, 2025, at the Pleasanton Cemetery. Contributions... [More]
More Obituaries
- 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
- Rees Lyle Shattuck 08-31-1931 to 05-26-2025
- Dixie Bradley Wilkerson 10-15-1939 to 05-30-2025
- Gary Ray Johnson 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025
- Gary Ray Johnson ~ 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025
NEWS
NOTICE:

Due to a scheduling conflict, the commissioners will not be meeting today, June 25th, for a second budget workshop. The meeting has been rescheduled for July 2nd.
Tanglewood Lakes files suit against Board of County Commissioners

Requests declaratory judgement that roads are private The Tanglewood Lakes Owners Association, Inc. (TLOA), filed a lawsuit in Linn County District Court on June 6, 2025, against the Linn County Board of County Commissioners requesting a declaratory judgement from... [More]
Case filed alleging exploitation of minors, breach of privacy

On June 20, following an extensive investigation by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the Linn County Attorney’s Office filed a case in district court charging Erik Hellner, a Sugar Valley Lakes resident, with six separate felonies. The case originally stems from... [More]
More News
- La Cygne executes pool bond defeasance
- CANCELED: Statewide Purple Alert issued for missing Yates Center woman
- Parker mayor seeks affidavits to file charges
- USD 346 board learns of overpayments
- NOTICE
- Commissioners discuss estimate on overlay project
- Pleasanton council meeting heated over fire personnel interviews
- La Cygne gas customers may see rate decrease
SPORTS
Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship

The Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team traveled to Wichita to compete in the Kansas Trapshooting State tournament. The tournament features more than 110 high schools and over 1,500 student athletes. Pleasanton/Jayhawk compete in the 2A competition which happened on June... [More]
Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad

Prairie View’s head boys’ wrestling Coach Joey Ewalt does more for the sport than just coaching the Buffalos, he has made an impact on the sport as a wrestler, coach and official. Ewalt began his wrestling career at the very young age of four. His father, Mike Ewalt,... [More]
More Sports
- 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
- Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State
- School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka
- Prairie View track qualifies multiple athletes for State
OBITUARIES POLICY
• May be mailed, e-mailed, faxed or hand delivered.
• Must be received by 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning in order to appear in that week's edition.
• Obituaries submitted by funeral homes will be billed to the funeral home.
• Full obituaries submitted by individuals are required to be paid in advance.
• Cost: $40 for 300 words or less. Each additional word over 300, 10¢. Photograph $5.
Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

