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
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
OBITUARIES POLICY
• May be mailed, e-mailed, faxed or hand delivered.
• Must be received by 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning in order to appear in that week's edition.
• Obituaries submitted by funeral homes will be billed to the funeral home.
• Full obituaries submitted by individuals are required to be paid in advance.
• Cost: $40 for 300 words or less. Each additional word over 300, 10¢. Photograph $5.
Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

