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
Jean Driskell ~ 03-22-1943 to 07-18-2025

Linn County News Published July 23, 2025 Jean Driskell, age 82, formerly of La Cygne, Kan., passed away Friday, July 18, 2025. Memorial service will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home, La Cygne Chapel. Visitation... [More]
Burton Clyde Brownback ~ 05-21-1953 to 07-13-2025

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Burton Clyde Brownback, age 72, Tri-Ko resident in Osawatomie, Kan., passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025. He was born on May 21, 1953, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Clyde and Shirley Drake Brownback. He graduated from Prairie View... [More]
Ruth Ann Antrim ~ 05-21-1951 to 07-07-2025

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Ruth Ann Antrim, formerly Hueston, passed away July 7, 2025, after bravely battling cancer for many years. Ruth Ann was 74 years old. She lived and worked in the Mound City and Fort Scott, Kan., areas her... [More]
More Obituaries
- Helen Maxine Wright ~ 05-28-1939 to 06-19-2025
- Kelly Kehl ~ 03-25-1938 to 06-28-2025
- Kandi Kay Cruse ~ 03-29-1958 to 06-27-2025
- Jessica Cae Pritchett ~ 08-30-1981 to 06-26-2025
- Jackie Junior “Jack” Hewitt ~ 07-17-1935 to 06-18-2025
- Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith ~ 11-19-1935 to 06-07-2025
- Ron Arbogast ~ 08-31-1946 to 06-05-2025
- Richard “Dick” Smith ~ 04-18-1942 to 06-22-2025
NEWS
Special: Resurfacing to begin on U.S. 69 in Linn County

A Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) resurfacing project on U.S. 69 in Linn County will begin the week of July 28. The project will resurface U.S. 69 with ultrathin bonded asphalt for just over 7 miles from Pleasanton to just north of... [More]
Pleasanton FD again at center of heated discussion

The majority of heated discussion came at the end of the Pleasanton City Council meeting Monday night during council discussion when Council people Bill Skipper and Angelina Randall squared off concerning the recent ISO inspection that occurred at the fire department. Skipper... [More]
La Cygne city to be below revenue neutral

Ad valorem revenue will decrease by almost $16,600, levy by over 7.6 mills The city of La Cygne will not only be revenue neutral but actually below neutral on its 2026 municipal budget. That was the report from Jodi Wade, city clerk, at last Wednesday’s regular... [More]
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- Commissioners discuss airport future, request more information
- SPECIAL: Resurfacing on U.S. 59 in Anderson County to begin in August 4
- Commissioners vote to exceed revenue neutral
- Mulberry Limestone CUP approved by P & Z
- SPECIAL: Benefits question an issue for county employees
- Commissioners discuss various budgets
- City learns of fire gear condition
SPORTS
Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship

Eight members of the Pleasanton Trapshooting Team traveled to Mason, Mich., last week to compete in the USA Clay Target League National Championship. Five members participated in the team event, and all eight competed individually. The team was among 264 qualified teams competing... [More]
Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest

The Blue Mound girls’ coach pitch team 1 places second at the TRL girls’ coach pitch tournament at Colony. The tournament took place from July 7 to July 9.
More Sports
- Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament
- Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship
- Gratton at Nationals
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship
- Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad
- Prairie View trapshooting competes at State
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

