Evelyn Maxine Ham
04-08-1924 to 06-03-2018
Linn County News
Published June 6, 2018
Evelyn Maxine Ham went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 3, 2018.
Evelyn was born on April 8, 1924, to Charles and Francena Holmes Vest. She grew up on the State Line between Prescott, Kan., and Hume, Mo., and as a child walked with her brother and sister to the Fairmount Church every Sunday. She graduated from Prescott High School, and after high school Evelyn worked at the Western Insurance Co. waiting for her high school sweetheart to return from basic training.
Walt Ham and Evelyn Vest were married in 1946, and together they drove a model T Ford to Washington, D.C., on dirt roads. In Washington, Walt worked at the Pentagon and also was a guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier until the war work ended. Evelyn was employed by the original Macys department store while in Washington.
After returning to Prescott Evelyn was employed by the Prescott Bank, the United States Post Office and Ham Implement Co. She later owned a ceramic shop where many clients were taught the art of ceramic. In addition to being a wife and mother and working full time, she was the best homemaker around, a wonderful cook, a seamstress, always had a garden and canned, and she loved her beautiful flowers. She would have even made June Cleaver look bad! (And Evelyn was beautiful.)
Evelyn lost Walt, her best friend and husband of 67 years, in November of 2014. They were still just as devoted to one another as they were in high school. Evelyn missed Walt so much, that family and friends may take much comfort knowing that they are now together again. Evelyn was just waiting for her happy reunion with Walt and her Lord.
Evelyn is survived by her two children: son Larry Ham and wife Pam of rural Fort Scott, Kan., and Linda Pruitt and husband Urvy of Fort Scott. She was blessed with four grandsons and their families: Kirby and Jay Ham, and Jeff and Derek Fugate. There are eight great grandchildren. Also surviving are one sister, Addie Mae Ralph of Fort Scott; and two sisters-in-law, Shirley Park of Pleasant Hill, Mo., and Clara Vest of Springfield, Mo. She was preceded in death by a brother, Bud Vest.
Evelyn was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Fort Scott, and she was very close to her church family. She listened to Pastor Paul Rooks on the radio every Sunday.
Graveside services will be conducted at 10.30 a.m. Thursday, June 7, 2018, by Pastor Paul Rooks at the Prescott Cemetery, Prescott. Schneider Funeral Home of Pleasanton is in charge of arrangements. A special thanks to the caring staff at Prescott County View Nursing Home. Evelyn always said, “They are so clean, and they feed me too much.”
The family suggests contributions to the Grace Baptist Church in Fort Scott, which may be sent in care of Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 525, Pleasanton, Kan. 66075. Online condolences may be left at www.schneiderfunerals.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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- USD 362 files revenue-neutral exceedances
- 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

