Linn County News
Published Jan. 9, 2019
Harold Eugene McWilliams, 89, of Urich, Mo., passed away Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, at Shawnee Mission Medical Center.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019 at Urich First Baptist Church, 502 N. Main St., Urich.
Gene was the oldest of six children, born to Harold and Elsie Wilson McWilliams. He was born June 6, 1929, in Beacon, Iowa, and later moved with his family to Kansas City. He was drafted and served in the United States Army during the Korean War where he served three years working as an equipment operator.
Eugene was united into marriage to Helen Ousley Peoples on June 6, 1960.They later bought a farm south of Louisburg. Gene worked for Leaseway Trucking for many years until they closed the business due to a flood. He worked until retirement for the Shawnee Mission School District in the parts department.
Gene and Helen traveled to Texas as winter Texans for many years, enjoying the RV life and their many friends. Gene and Helen returned to Urich just seven months ago to live with their children on the farm.
Gene enjoyed family get-togethers, playing cards with his family, gardening, using his many tools, collecting wood for the winter, family dinners together, as well as bluegrass music.
Gene came to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ gift of grace in his 70s. He currently worshipped at Urich First Baptist Church.
He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter Gayle Ann McWilliams; his brother, Jim McWilliams; and a sister, Beverly Davis.
Survivors include his wife Helen McWilliams of Urich; sons Howard McWilliams, Urich, Ed Peoples, Grandview, Mo., and Richard Peoples, Fort Scott; one daughter, Arlene Watrous, Pleasanton; and all their families.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Urich First Baptist Church c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary Louisburg Chapel, P.O. Box 669, Louisburg, KS 66053.
To leave a special message for the family online, please visit www.dengelmortuary.com.
Arrangements: Dengel & Son Mortuary Louisburg Chapel, 120 S. Broadway, Louisburg, KS 66053.
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]
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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
• 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

