Esther Luree Masters, 98, a resident of Presbyterian Village, Fort Scott, Kan., died Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016, at her home. She was born Aug. 25, 1917, in Boicourt, Kan., the daughter of Earl Lee Mitchell and Cordelia Kerns Mitchell. Esther was a 1935 graduate of Burlington High School.
She married Clayton Masters Aug. 28, 1938, in Pleasanton, Kan. He preceded her in death Nov. 4, 2010.
She had worked for Murray’s Clothing Store in Wichita and later retired from Beech Aircraft following 16 years of employment.
She was a member of the Central Community Church in Wichita, but attended Community Christian Church after moving to Fort Scott on Jan. 28, 2012. Esther and her husband were avid members of the Moose Lodge in Wichita where they helped administer Bingo and attended dances for many years.
They enjoyed traveling and were able to visit several foreign countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Italy and Greece with Clayton’s brother, Cecil. They also took many bus tours in the United States via Village Tours. She had the most fun playing cards and dominoes with family and friends. She and Clayton also enjoyed bowling each week with other retirees. It is believed she bowled her last game in October of 2007, at the age of 90.
Survivors include one son, Rick Masters and wife Sylvia, Fort Scott; three grandchildren, Zachry Masters, Shannon Spencer and Whitney Masters. Also surviving are six great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Michael Leon Masters; a granddaughter, Raina Noel Masters; a sister, Dorothy Hunt; and a brother, Earl (E.J.) Mitchell Jr.
Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 4 at the Cheney Witt Chapel. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 10 a.m. until service time at the Chapel.
A funeral service will also be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5 at the Lakeview Cemetery, 12100 E. 13th, Wichita, Kan. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until service time at the Lakeview Cemetery Chapel in Wichita. Memorials are suggested to the Community Christian Church, the Central Community Church or the Presbyterian Village and may be sent to Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
OBITUARIES
Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith ~ 11-19-1935 to 06-07-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith passed away Saturday June 7, 2025, at the Stoneybrook Retirement Community in Manhattan. She was born on Nov. 19, 1935, in Topeka, Kan., to Neil and Gladys (Goldsmith)... [More]
Ron Arbogast ~ 08-31-1946 to 06-05-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Ron Arbogast, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, coach, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on June 5, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 78. Born Aug. 31, 1946, in Fort Scott, Kan.,... [More]
Richard “Dick” Smith ~ 04-18-1942 to 06-22-2025

Linn County News Published June 25, 2025 Richard "Dick" Smith, age 83, formerly of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away in Olathe, Kan., on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Graveside Service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 27, 2025, at the Pleasanton Cemetery. Contributions... [More]
More Obituaries
- Charles Edwin Sutterby ~ 06-20-1951 to 06-19-2025
- Windfred Allen DeMott ~ 09-15-1940 to 06-07-2025
- Maxine Breuel ~ 11-20-1926 to 06-07-2025
- Richard Paul Henderson ~ 07-26-1950 to 06-01-2025
- Rees Lyle Shattuck 08-31-1931 to 05-26-2025
- Dixie Bradley Wilkerson 10-15-1939 to 05-30-2025
- Gary Ray Johnson 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025
- Gary Ray Johnson ~ 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025
NEWS
NOTICE:

Due to a scheduling conflict, the commissioners will not be meeting today, June 25th, for a second budget workshop. The meeting has been rescheduled for July 2nd.
Tanglewood Lakes files suit against Board of County Commissioners

Requests declaratory judgement that roads are private The Tanglewood Lakes Owners Association, Inc. (TLOA), filed a lawsuit in Linn County District Court on June 6, 2025, against the Linn County Board of County Commissioners requesting a declaratory judgement from... [More]
Case filed alleging exploitation of minors, breach of privacy

On June 20, following an extensive investigation by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the Linn County Attorney’s Office filed a case in district court charging Erik Hellner, a Sugar Valley Lakes resident, with six separate felonies. The case originally stems from... [More]
More News
- La Cygne executes pool bond defeasance
- CANCELED: Statewide Purple Alert issued for missing Yates Center woman
- Parker mayor seeks affidavits to file charges
- USD 346 board learns of overpayments
- NOTICE
- Commissioners discuss estimate on overlay project
- Pleasanton council meeting heated over fire personnel interviews
- La Cygne gas customers may see rate decrease
SPORTS
Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship

The Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team traveled to Wichita to compete in the Kansas Trapshooting State tournament. The tournament features more than 110 high schools and over 1,500 student athletes. Pleasanton/Jayhawk compete in the 2A competition which happened on June... [More]
Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad

Prairie View’s head boys’ wrestling Coach Joey Ewalt does more for the sport than just coaching the Buffalos, he has made an impact on the sport as a wrestler, coach and official. Ewalt began his wrestling career at the very young age of four. His father, Mike Ewalt,... [More]
More Sports
- Pleasanton and Jayhawk baseball on the 2025 All TRL team
- Jayhawk Linn softball has three All TRL unanimous selections
- Trenton Broyles leads Hawks at State track
- Prairie View track earns six medals at State
- Pleasanton’s Gratton wins two golds, sets meet record
- Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State
- School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka
- Prairie View track qualifies multiple athletes for State
OBITUARIES POLICY
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

