September 19, 2023

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.