Linn County News
Published January 11, 2023
Dr. Joseph James Bailey, Jr., age 87, of Centerville, Kan., passed away on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, at Trustwell Living at Mission Springs in Mission, Kan.
Joe was born on Nov. 21, 1935, at Garnett, Kan., he was the first of three children born to Joseph J. Bailey and Lola Maxine (Cusick) Bailey. Joe graduated from Garnett High School in 1954 and Kansas State University with his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1961. Joe returned to Garnett following his graduation, where he practiced mixed animal veterinary medicine. After a career-ending neck injury, Joe moved his family to Bozeman, Mont.
While everyone else was in school, Joe perfected the art of making biscuits and sourdough, but he failed miserably at his attempts to make yogurt. As a life-long learner, he studied geology, paleontology, archeology, and he enjoyed sharing that knowledge. In 1980 Joe returned to Kansas, moving to the farm near Centerville, where he raised registered Gelbviegh cattle. Joe continued to help guide and outfit hunting trips in the Maroon Bells of Colorado and the Superstition Mountains of Arizona.
Joe loved to share a good story. Sometimes, the listeners were challenged to sort out fact from fiction, but the story was always good. Joe was generous with his time, volunteering for many community groups and projects and serving on several local boards. He founded an outreach group for veterinary professionals struggling with addiction. Joe was a lifelong collector, collecting numerous vehicles, rocks, books, pets and lifelong friends. Joe never met an animal he didn’t like, and that could be observed in the way he cared for countless stray dogs and cats to the retired pack horses that he gave refuge to.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joe Sr. and Lola Bailey.
He is survived by his three children, Brenda Bailey of Jonesboro, Ark., Andrew J. Bailey and his wife, Linda Backstrom of Prairie Village, Kan., and Janet Bailey, DVM, of Tucson, Ariz.; six granddaughters, Courtney Pope, Haley Thyng, Ramona Bailey, Erin Bailey, Andrea Williams-Vestal, and Ashley Bailey; four great-grandsons; brother, Ed Bailey of Sebring, Fla.; and sister, Eileen Sandburg and husband, Mark, of Houston, Texas; and his cousins, with whom he cherished their monthly dinners together. Joe was blessed with the best neighbor anyone could want, over the years, Carlene Brownback, they helped each other with chores on their farms. They shared a wonderful friendship and Carlene was both his accomplice, yet kept him out of trouble in other instances.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett with burial following in the Garnett Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine and left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.
OBITUARIES
Donna Lee (Bishop) Stites ~ 02-13-1941 to 03-26-2025

Linn County News Published April 2, 2025 Donna Lee (Bishop) Stites, age 84, of Mound City, Kan., passed away peacefully in her sleep March 26, 2025, at the Olathe Medical Center, after an extended illness. Born on Feb. 13, 1941, the third child of Jacob and... [More]
Frank Scott DeRemus ~ 06-21-1967 to 03-04-2025

Linn County News Published April 2, 2025 Frank Scott DeRemus age 57 of Blue Mound, Kan., passed away Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at his home in Blue Mound. Scott was born June 21, 1967, in Olathe, Kan., to Frank Fox and Sharon K. (Chadwick) DeRemus. On August 11, 1994,... [More]
Douglas Eugene Joseph ~ 08-06-1964 to 03-16-2025

Linn County News Published April 2, 2025 Douglas Eugene Joseph, 60, of Fort Scott, Kan., died Sunday, March 16, 2025, at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, Mo. Doug was born on Aug. 6, 1964, in Pittsburg, Kan., to Jean Ann Jones. He graduated from high school... [More]
More Obituaries
- Linda Sue Tyson ~ 01-24-1942 to 03-21-2025
- Brent Ross Wheeler ~ July 27, 1956 – March 22, 2025
- Alice Walker ~ 09-03-1928 to 03-20-2025
- Colton James McCammon ~ 08-26-2003 to 03-15-2025
- Kenneth Lawrence Sloan ~ 01-24-1950 to 03-11-2025
- Lois Joan Streeter ~ 11-18-1931 to 03-05-2025
- Lila R. McCarty ~ 05-21-1938 to 03-08-2025
- Norma Jean Harvey ~ 09-26-1935 to 02-21-2025
NEWS
SPECIAL: STATEHOUSE REPORTING BUDGET FOR MARCH 28, 2025

FETALPERSONHOOD – The House and Senate on Thursday passed a bill that will require child support for unborn fetuses from the date of conception as well as an income tax exemption. A conference committee report was presented for HB2062 before the... [More]
SPECIAL: U.S. 69 overlay project set to begin in Bourbon and Linn counties

Monday, March 31, the Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin resurfacing work on U.S. 69 in Bourbon and Linn counties. An overlay will be placed on the northbound lanes of U.S. 69, starting at the south U.S. 54 junction in Fort Scott and continuing... [More]
Commissioners learn of grant for planning phase on courthouse repairs

During the March 24 meeting, the Linn County Commissioners heard from Linn County Public Works Administrator Shaun West on a grant possibility for repair work to the courthouse. SEKRPC (SEK Regional Planning Commission) is willing to assist with the HPF (Historic Preservation... [More]
More News
- La Cygne accepts deed conveyance on split vote
- Commissioners hear from resident on subdivision meeting
- SPECIAL: K-52 resurfacing project will begin soon
- Linn Valley imposes moratorium on new water and sewer construction
- Wind and fire damage dots county
- County hears from Tanglewood residents during public comment
- Commissioners discuss new option for Devlin Road
- Board votes to extend Meik contract
SPORTS
2025 Boys’ Basketball All County team

The 2024-2025 high school boys’ basketball has concluded and it is time once again for the annual All County team. As usual choosing the team was tough as there were many good players this season and plenty more that showed steady progress through the season. As... [More]
2025 Girls’ Basketball All County team

High school girls’ basketball has concluded for the 2024-25 season and it’s time for the annual All County team. Like the boys’ team, and like most years, choosing players was tough. Plenty of girls from all three schools, Prairie View, Jayhawk Linn and Pleasanton,... [More]
More Sports
- A season in review: Jayhawk Linn wrestling
- A season in review: Prairie View wrestling
- Pleasanton boys’ basketball earns Sub-State runner-up
- Prairie View girls’ basketball ends season against Neodesha
- Case leads Prairie View girls’ wrestling with a second-place finish
- McCarty leads Lady Hawks with a fourth-place finish at State
- Blu-Jays win sub-state shootout
- Jayhawk boys’ wrestling sends five to 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

