Linn County News
Published January 4, 2023
Don Robert “Butch” McCarty passed away early Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, at Maggie’s Place Memory Care in Overland Park, Kan., in the arms of his loving family. Don was born in Fort Scott, Kan., on Sept. 17, 1944, the only child of John Russell and Ruby Maxine Schasteen McCarty.
Don began his business career in sales for Scott Paper Company covering the territory from Topeka through western Kansas. Later with a partner, Don bought a food brokerage firm, Ward Marketing, which they successfully expanded through a series of mergers. His final merger was with Acosta, a national food brokerage company, where he worked until retiring in 2000 to refocus his energies on his hobbies and his growing role as Grandpa.
Don accepted Christ as his Savior while attending the Mound City Methodist Church as a child then later he continued his Christian life becoming a member of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, Leawood, Kan. All his life he was guided by the Golden Rule and the Commandments.
Beginning in elementary and high school, Don also learned the value of hard work, holding jobs as diverse as paper boy, gas station attendant, soda jerk, and aide to the school janitor. His drive to keep busy lasted well into retirement where he attended auctions to purchase cars for Beckman Motors and served in the Methodist Men’s group at Church of the Resurrection. One of his most difficult transitions was the requirement to give up much loved activities when Alzheimer’s made it impossible to continue.
A fourth generation McCarty to be raised in the Mound City vicinity, Don had a deep connection to and love for his community and country. During the Vietnam War, he joined the United States Naval Reserve immediately after graduating from Mound City High School. He served regularly with VA-882, Naval Air Station Olathe, Kan., during his military deferment to attend college. Don attended college at Pittsburg State University, Fort Scott Community College, and Washburn University, Topeka, from which he graduated in 1967 with a BA degree in Business Administration. Upon graduation, Personnelman (PN) 2nd Class McCarty reported to Naval Air Station, Willow Grove, Pa., to complete his obligation with the Navy.
High School sweethearts, Don married Linda Jean Ware on June 7, 1966. His young bride accompanied him on the adventure east to complete his Navy assignment. For more than 56 years, until his death, they were a team in all aspects of their lives - work, worship, travel, play, family, friends, and his final illness. While living in Pennsylvania in 1970, they welcomed the addition of their beloved son, John Ellis McCarty. Don loved son, John and daughter-in-law, Holly Porter McCarty, and family with all his heart. He always looked forward to seeing them and was so proud of their accomplishments, none more so than their three handsome, loving sons who called him Papa. They were a steady source of pleasure during Don’s final years and always brought a sparkle to his eye.
Don and Linda were blessed to spend many winters in Scottsdale, Ariz., where they enjoyed the camaraderie of a group of three other couples, traveling, eating out and watching sporting events. Don was introduced to sports - baseball, basketball, track, and football during his formative years and never lost the love of athletic competition. After he no longer played, he continued as a fan, especially rooting for the Chiefs, Royals and KU Jayhawks.
Don was a member of Masonic Lodge #33 AF & AM Mound City, Kan.; Mirza Shriner, Pittsburg, Kan.; and the American Legion Post 248, Mound City, Kan.
Don lived a life rich in love and friendship. He leaves to mourn his devoted wife, Linda; his son and daughter-in-law, John and Holly McCarty and their three sons, Maxwell, Samuel and Jackson; a brother-in-law and wife, Ron and Dora Ware; a nephew and wife, Brian and Chasity Ware and their family; and a niece and husband, Andrea and Ray Webb; several cousins and many friends.
A graveside service will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023 at the Curry Cemetery near Mound City, Kan.
Visitation will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel.
Memorial contributions are suggested to American Legion Post #248 or Shriner Children’s Hospital c/o Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box J, Mound City, Kan. 66056. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.
OBITUARIES
Helen Maxine Wright ~ 05-28-1939 to 06-19-2025

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Helen Maxine Wright, age 86, formerly of Blue Mound, Kan., passed away at her home in Abbyville, Kan., on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Funeral service was held at 11 a.m., Monday, July 7, 2025, at the Community... [More]
Ruth Ann Antrim ~ 05-21-1951 to 07-07-2025

Linn County News Published July 9. 2025 Ruth Ann Antrim, age 74, Prescott, Kan., passed away July 7, 2025. Arrangements are pending at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel.
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]
More Obituaries
- Kandi Kay Cruse ~ 03-29-1958 to 06-27-2025
- Jessica Cae Pritchett ~ 08-30-1981 to 06-26-2025
- 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
NEWS
Commissioners discuss various budgets

SEKMHC in mix At the end of a meeting attended by two of the three commissioners, a discussion was held regarding several of the proposed budgets for next year. Commissioners Alison Hamilton and Jim Johnson first discussed the proposed budget for Southeast Kansas Mental Health.... [More]
City learns of fire gear condition

Pleasanton Fire Department ISO inspection July 16 Following the appointment of new Fire Chief Jimmy Watts as Pleasanton Fire Chief, the Pleasanton Council heard of the condition of bunker gear Monday night at their bi-weekly meeting. Watts reported the truck ran with the... [More]
La Cygne leaders discuss food truck follow-up

Police chief to draft updated clarifying ordinance La Cygne leaders anticipate considering a draft ordinance soon on transient food trucks following discussion at last Wednesday’s regular council meeting precipitated by a local business owner’s complaint last month.... [More]
More News
- special: SCOTUS agrees to hear Women's Sports Case
- SPECIA;: Schmidt Votes to Cancel Massive Tax Hike, Secure Border, and Lower Federal Spending
- NOTICE:
- 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
SPORTS
Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament

The team called Nobodys wins the Blue Mound 4th of July co-ed softball tournament on July 5. This year the tournament consisted of eight teams. The Nobodys is Keith Morrell’s team and has been a part of the softball tournament since it started three years ago.
Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship

The Pleasanton 12-14 baseball team wins their league tournament on June 30 to July 1. Pleasanton hosted the tournament and won in the championship against La Cygne 11-7.
More Sports
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- 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
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

