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
Gary Ray Johnson ~ 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025

Linn County News Published June 4, 2025 Gary Ray Johnson, age 90 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on May 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, June 2, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home in Pleasanton, Kan. Visitation... [More]
Rees Lyle Shattuck ~ 08-31-1931 to 05-26-2025

Linn County News Published May 28, 2025 Rees Lyle Shattuck, age 93, Prescott, Kan., passed away Monday, May 26, 2025. He was born on Aug. 31, 1931, in Boicourt, Kan., the son of Rees Wilbur and Lulu Elizabeth Black Shattuck. He served his country in the United... [More]
Wayne Eldon Long ~ 07-03-1942 to 05-24-2025

Linn County News Published May 28, 2025 Wayne Eldon Long, age 82, of Parker, Kan., passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Wayne was born on July 3, 1942, in Garnett, Kan., the son of Homer Leon and Margaret Ethel (Collins) Long. He was one of three children and... [More]
More Obituaries
- John Ted Miles ~ 01-29-1960 to 05-01-2025
- Zachary Eldon White ~ 06-12-1992 to 04-29-2025
- Rebecca S. Landers 12-30-1964 to 04-18-2025
- Ira Johnathan “Sonny” Robinson ~ 04-10-1944 to 04-26-2025
- Paul Dean Benham ~ 09-23-1944 to 04-26-2025
- Bonnie Faye Bishop ~ 03-25-1949 to 04-22-2025
- Lois A. Murray ~ 11-03-1931 to 04-20-2025
- Dr. Howard F. Wilson ~ 02-05-1938 to 04-20-2025
NEWS
SPECIAL: Commission to vote Monday on Parker Center lease

Linn County commissioners plan to vote at their weekly 9 a.m. meeting next Monday, June 2, on a 99-year lease agreement with Parker and their Senior Center building. At Tuesday's weekly Commission meeting, delayed by a day because of Monday's federal Memorial Day observance,... [More]
Despite Chamber loss, Blast in the Park fireworks will go off

Council actions include split vote on deed conveyance Hearing of the disbandment of its local Chamber of Commerce, La Cygne leaders have verbally concurred that the city’s part in the annual Blast in the Park festivities will go on. Following that Chamber notification... [More]
Linn Valley discusses city hall funding sources

The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, with Mayor Lew Donelson presiding and all council members present. Donelson informed the council of two potential opportunities for funding a new City Hall building. ... [More]
More News
- USD 362 board rejects adding bus A/C
- SPECIAL: Blue Mound man seriously injured in accident
- Commissioners make official statement on Tanglewood roads
- La Cygne okays local police firing range
- Mound City council adopts rules for camping
- LCSO releases statement on incident
- Pleasanton requests 1-year automatic aid fire extension
- Commissioners hear update, discuss aid agreement for Pleasanton FD
SPORTS
Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State

The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to West Franklin on May 22 to compete in the 3A Regional. As a team the girls placed 10th with a score of 22.5 points while the boys were fifth with 56 points. This year the top three places in each event qualify for the State meet then... [More]
School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka

The Pleasanton track team traveled to Eureka on May 22 for a 2A Regional track meet. This year the top three places advance to the State meet along the top four times/distances not from the top three from all other Regionals. This year the Jays qualified eight athletes in seven... [More]
More Sports
- Lady Hawks win league as Hawks host TRL meet
- Pleasanton track sets school records at Pioneer League track meet
- Prairie View track sets meet and league records at Wellsville
- Pleasanton baseball splits against Jayhawk
- Prairie View softball defeats Osawatomie and Girard
- Jayhawk baseball earns win over Pleasanton
- Prairie View track has a great day as they host home invitational
- Jayhawk track places top three at Prairie View
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

