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
Bonnie Faye Bishop ~ 03-25-1949 to 04-22-2025

Linn County News Published April 30, 2025 Bonnie Faye Bishop, age 76, Olathe, Kan., passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2025. She was born on March 25, 1949, in Kansas City, Mo., the daughter of William and Imogene Krueger Carter. After graduating from high... [More]
Lois A. Murray ~ 11-03-1931 to 04-20-2025

Linn County News Published April 30, 2025 Lois A. Murray, age 93, formerly of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Overland Park, Kan. Lois was born the daughter of Arlie and Winifred Stanhope Poindexter on Nov. 3, 1931, near Drexel, Mo.... [More]
Dr. Howard F. Wilson ~ 02-05-1938 to 04-20-2025

Linn County News Published April 23, 2025 Dr. Howard F. Wilson, age 87, of Garnett, Kan., passed away on Sunday, April 20, 2025, at St. Luke’s South Hospital in Overland Park, Kan. Howard Frank Wilson was born on Feb. 5, 1938, in Garden City, Mo. He was the... [More]
More Obituaries
- Anna Louise Stites ~ 09-27-1946 to 04-13-2025
- Sandra Kay “Sandy” Crooks ~ 01-08-1949 to 04-13-2025
- Richard Lee Keaton ~ 01-29-1935 to 04-05-2025
- Linda Ann Pruitt ~ 05-08-1953 to 04-07-2025
- Ira “Sonny” Ray Caruthers, Jr. ~ 05-23-1955 to 04-02-2025
- Michelle Lynn Young ~ 05-20-1967 to 04-04-2025
- Phyllis Sybil Colbert ~ 11-23-1935 to 03-28-2025
- Joseph Francis “Mr. Joe” Cunningham ~ 03-17-1967 to 03-31-2025
NEWS
SPECIAL: Legislative Update

April 18, 2025 Kansas Land and Military Installation Protection Act, SB 9, prohibits foreign adversaries from purchasing property within 100 miles of a military installation and any foreign adversary ownership of non-residential real property purchased prior to July 1, 2025,... [More]
16 criminal cases from Tanglewood Lake incident dismissed

Late Wednesday afternoon, April 16, orders were filed dismissing all 16 current cases on file in Linn County District Court concerning the Tanglewood Lake gate incident, 14 of which were filed against separate individuals that stemmed from the incident in May 2023. According... [More]
Tanglewood seeks clarification, aid from county

During the April 21 meeting, Linn County Commissioner Jason Hightower reported to his fellow board members that he had met with the Tanglewood Lake board president and a resident the previous week and noted that they wanted a resolution or motion that clarified if the roads are... [More]
More News
- Commission workshop hears of justification for SEKMHC CEO $600,000 salary
- La Cygne police get automatic plate readers
- Notice
- Public comment results in allegations of unethical behavior
- Parker reinstates local policing
- Two charged following vehicular incident in Parker
- Pleasanton approves zoning request
- La Cygne leaders talk future street improvements
SPORTS
Jayhawk track wins the Pleasanton Invitational

The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to Pleasanton on April 15 for the Pleasanton Invitational. The Hawks did very well as both the boys’ and girls’ teams won the meet. The girls won with a score of 188 points while the boys won with a score of 127 points. There were... [More]
Pleasanton track places in top three at home invitational

The Pleasanton track team hosted their home invitational on April 15. The Jays did well as both the boys’ and girls’ teams placed in the top three out of nine teams. The boys were second with 92 points while the girls were third with 107.5 points. “It was... [More]
More Sports
- Jayhawk baseball earns first victories of the season
- Pleasanton boys’ and girls’ track teams win Oswego Invitational
- Prairie View softball falls in league contest to Iola
- Prairie View softball drops close games against Santa Fe Trail
- Pleasanton baseball falls to Southeast Cherokee and Marmaton Valley
- Jayhawk softball splits against Central Heights
- Prairie View softball starts season 3-1
- Pleasanton baseball opens season 2-2 against Oswego and Crest
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

