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Dwayne Charles Beckford was born July 20, 1949, in Riverside, Calif., to Andrew Beckford and Lucille Hillman Beckford. His father's military career took the family to many locations before finally settling in Mapleton, Kan. He graduated from Blue Mound High School in 1967 and Kansas State University in 1972. He married his high school sweetheart, Rita Hyson, in 1970. They had three daughters.

 He spent over 30 years in the Army Reserves, retiring at the rank of Colonel in 2009. One of his final assignments was serving as the commander of the Lawrence Reserve Unit. He greatly enjoyed annual training in Alaska, spending time in a military leadership role. He also engaged in one of his favorite pastimes there, fishing.

Dwayne spent his civilian career teaching high school. He taught a range of subjects, including vocational agriculture, horticulture and science, as well as serving as an FFA advisor. He began teaching in Lakin, Kan., before moving to Jayhawk-Linn in Mound City. While at Mound City, Dwayne served on the city council, school board and the Sugar Mound Arts and Crafts Festival Committee. Dwayne was instrumental in helping to start the committee’s annual scholarship fund. He retired from teaching at Paola High School in 2010 after 21 years.

Dwayne was a lifelong learner, earning a master’s degree in science and continuing to take classes throughout his life. He enjoyed gardening, raising animals, fishing, reading and photography. He always had at least one dog, and often a flock of sheep or goats, as well as occasional cows or a donkey. He shared these interests with his daughters and later his grandchildren. He remained busy in retirement, serving on the Miami County Conservation Board, the election board and as Stanton Township Clerk. He was active in his local church.

He is remembered by others for his kind and generous nature and his faithfulness to the Bible and what he believed. Dwayne was a longtime donor to many charitable groups. He always sought to give back. He would encourage you to become an organ donor.

Dwayne left this life Sept. 12, 2019, surrounded by family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, as well as three brothers, Everett, Alan and David.

He is survived by Rita, his wife of 49 years; daughters Jody (Ken) Schroeder, Katie (J.R.) Lidgett and Megan (John) Withers; grandchildren Melissa, Anika, Lilly, Dillen and Isaac; brother Andrew Beckford and sister Leota Keller; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Contributions in Dwayne’s honor may be made to The Kansas City Foundation for Pulmonary Fibrosis or the Paola High School FFA chapter in care of the funeral home.

Visitation will be Thursday, Sept. 19, at Paola First Baptist Church from 5-7 p.m. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 20, also at the church. Burial will follow at the Mapleton Cemetery.

OBITUARIES

Frederick John “Fritz” Johanning, Jr. ~ 08-10-1948 to 03-26-2024

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Linn County News Published April 3, 2024   Frederick John "Fritz" Johanning, Jr., age 75, of Blue Mound, Kan., passed away Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, March 30, 2024, at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City... [More]

Doris Maxine Basore ~ 01-02-1920 to 03-10-2024

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Linn County News Published March 13, 2024   Doris Maxine Basore, age 104, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Monday, March 10, 2024. She was born in Bates County, Mo., on Jan. 2, 1920, the daughter of Ray and Verna Chapman Lacy. She graduated from Rich Hill High School... [More]

Janice (Good) Waltmire ~ 08-20-1937 to 03-09-2024

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Linn County News Published March 13, 2024   Janice (Good) Waltmire, age 86, of Overland Park, Kan., passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, March 9, 2024. She was born the youngest of four children in Mound City, Kan., on Aug. 20, 1937, to the late Ralph... [More]

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NEWS

USD 362 to return to onsite food service

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Agriculture leading economic contributor for Linn County

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Agriculture touches the lives of everyone in Linn County, whether you are a producer or a consumer, providing a direct or indirect impact of over $170 million to our county in 2023.  Farming and beef cattle ranching, including feedlots and dual-purpose farming and ranching... [More]

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SPORTS

Prairie View brings home two State titles in powerlifting championship

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The Prairie View powerlifting team traveled to Santa Fe Trail on March 23 for the 3A State Powerlifting Meet. The Buffalos did very well at the meet with seven lifters placing in the top three and Prairie View placing second overall as a team. “We came up 11 points short... [More]

Jayhawk softball hosts Prairie View in season opener

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The Jayhawk Linn softball team hosted Prairie View in their season opener on March 19. The Lady Hawks played a double-header and lost both games to the Lady Buffs 5-15 and 13-15. The first game saw the Buffalos take a 6-3 after three innings. After this, Prairie View outscored... [More]

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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

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