Linn County News
Published February 26, 2025
Emma Darlene Peek, age 89 of Neosho, Mo., formerly of Amoret, Mo., died Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Mo. She was born May 11, 1935, to Harold Joseph and Juanita May Hoyt Hoaglan in Merwin, Mo.
Darlene, the oldest of three children, grew up in La Cygne, Kan., and was a 1953 graduate of La Cygne High School. On Aug. 12, 1953, she married Harry Lee Armstrong and to this union, four children were born. The marriage ended after 25 years. In 1980 she moved to Amoret, Mo., where she attended the Amoret Christian Church. Darlene began working at the Osawatomie State Hospital in 1957 and continued working for the State of Kansas until her retirement in 1993. She was one of 42 founders of Kansas Alcohol and Drug Counsel Association in 1974 and remained a senior counselor until 1995.
In 1986 Darlene married Albert Lee Peek and they continued to live in Amoret after living one year in Peculiar, Mo. While living in Amoret, they were active in the Amoret Christian Church and helping people in the community. Together they enjoyed fishing, camping and traveling – where they made many friends all over the United States.
Darlene is survived by her children, Katherine Juanita Waldmen and husband, Mike, of Springfield, Mo., Darla Lee Armstrong of Neosho, Mo., Harold Dean Armstrong and wife, Kim, of Thornsby, Ala., Roger Lee Peek and wife, Brenda, of Peculiar, Mo., Eddie Peek and wife, Monica of Butler, Mo., Judy Kay Wilson and Betsy Sue Dunkin and husband, Gary, all of Harrisonville, Mo.; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Iva Loree Mendenhall and husband, Eugene, of Linn Valley, Kan.; and many nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Albert Lee Peek, on June 26, 2019; two sons, Wilbur Alan Armstrong and Ronnie Peek; and a sister, Lenara June Kile and her husband, Raymond.
Funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 24, 2025 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel in Butler, Mo. Visitation prior to services were held on Monday at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial was in Wills Cemetery, Peculiar, Mo. In lieu of flowers, contributions to American Heart Association. Online condolences may be left at www.schowengerdtchapel.com.
OBITUARIES
Jackie “Jack” Howard Shroyer ~ 01-24-1940 to 09-04-2025

Linn County News Published September 10, 2025 Jackie "Jack" Howard Shroyer, age 85 of Prescott, Kan., passed away on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. Jack was born the son of Eugene and Lillie Ruth (Blangy) Shroyer on Jan. 24, 1940, in Prescott, Kan. He... [More]
Wallace “Mack” Probasco ~ 07-05-1959 to 09-02-2025

Linn County News Published September 10, 2025 Wallace “Mack” Probasco, age 66 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away at his home on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. He was born the son of Francis Mack and Edna E. Wallace Probasco on July 5, 1959, in Fort Scott,... [More]
Martha F. Couch ~ 01-03-1929 to 07-18-2025

Linn County News Published September 10, 2025 It is with much sorrow that the family of Martha Frasier Couch, a woman of deep faith and compassion, shares the news that she passed away peacefully on July 18, 2025, just months after the passing of her husband, Keith,... [More]
More Obituaries
- George Teagarden ~ 01-30-1943 to 09-01-2025
- John Clayton Bowman ~ 02-01-1944 to 08-17-2025
- Arnold Joseph Lickteig ~ 05-16-1931 to 07-31-2025
- Joe W. Mann ~ 09-02-1951 to 07-26-2025
- Jean Driskell ~ 03-22-1943 to 07-18-2025
- Burton Clyde Brownback ~ 05-21-1953 to 07-13-2025
- Ruth Ann Antrim ~ 05-21-1951 to 07-07-2025
- Helen Maxine Wright ~ 05-28-1939 to 06-19-2025
NEWS
Property taxes and how they work

In Kansas, there is a definitive process for determining what the property taxes are on any given piece of property. Did you know that according to SmartAsset.com Linn County has the second lowest property tax average in the entire state? According to information available... [More]
Pleasanton Fire Department personnel hiring questioned

What started out as a department update from Pleasanton Fire Chief Jeff Wisdom, turned into a showdown between councilmembers and the mayor in who was hired as volunteer firefighters in Pleasanton. Wisdom informed the council he was beginning training for new firefighters September... [More]
Commission ‘bares’ down to pass public nudity ban

Linn County commissioners passed a resolution banning public nudity at its Sept. 2 weekly meeting, delayed a day for the governmental Labor Day holiday. Resolution No. 2025-16, enacted on a 2-0 vote with Alison Hamilton not present, forbids nudity on public property or outside... [More]
More News
- Paris Township voting location to move to Mound City
- USD 362 passes 2025-26 school budget
- Parker appoints police chief
- SPECIAL: Drainpipe replacement on K-31 in Linn County
- Linn County News website gets new update
- Commissioners vote 1-1 on motion to not exceed revenue neutral
- Linn Valley looks at option for fire truck purchase, new vehicles
- Sheriff speaks out on employee benefits
SPORTS
Alvarez leads Pleasanton cross country

The Pleasanton cross country team traveled to Garnett for their first meet of the year on Sept. 4 at the Annual Jerry Howarter Invitational. The Jays had runners in both the junior high and high school races. Dominic Alvarez led the Hawks as he earned a medal and placed... [More]
Jayhawk football starts season with shutout over Central Heights

The Jayhawk Linn football team traveled to Fort Scott on Sept. 5 to host the Central Heights Vikings for their first game of the season. This was supposed to be a home game for the Hawks but had to be played at Fort Scott because the field was not ready. The game began with... [More]
Spradling era kicks off with oohhs and 'Oz'
Jason Spradling's head coaching era at Prairie View debuted with plenty of oohhs and 'Oz' Friday night. The oohhs came from an offensive running attack that amassed 612 rushing yards, all but 99 in the first half, and saw Buffalo four-year starters Parker Schwarz gain 287 yards... [More]
More Sports
- Frog gigging a new ‘old sport’
- Fishing Derby kicks off at Linn County Fair
- Linn County Farm Bureau hosts annual pedal pull
- From the Bleachers – 717
- Annual demo derby kicks off this year’s Linn County Fair and Rodeo
- From the Bleachers - 719
- Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship
- Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com
