Harry Elwood Purdy, 93, of Foster, Mo., died Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016, at his home. He was born May 28, 1922, to Harry Eldrin and Edna Ferguson Purdy near Trading Post, Kan.
Harry, one of two children, grew up near Trading Post, Kan., where he attended grade school. He attended Pleasanton High School in Pleasanton, Kan., where he enjoyed playing high school football.
Shortly after high school, Harry married Georgia McCoy; they started a life in Zillah, Wash.
Harry worked as a heavy equipment operator for many years. He had an opportunity to purchase his own land leveling company and he loved being a business owner. Harry later worked at Yakima County Waste Disposal leveling waste.
After the death of his first wife, Harry was united in marriage to Evelyn White Wisdom in 1997 and they came to Bates County.
Harry enjoyed his cattle, farm life and the rural living in Missouri. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and attended the First Baptist Church in Buena, Wash. and Amoret Christian Church.
Harry enjoyed fishing, camping, telling stories and hunting. He was always concerned with “Cookie”--a.k.a. Evelyn--and making sure she was taken care of. Harry was a wonderful dad and always there for his children.
Harry is survived by his wife, Evelyn Purdy of Foster, Mo.; one daughter, Noma Barnhouse of Zillah, Wash.; three stepsons, Duane Wisdom of Adrian, Mo., Otis “PeeWee” Wisdom and wife Connie of Collins, Mo., and Edward “Joker” Wisdom of Amoret, Mo.; two stepdaughters, Judy Gurley and husband Kenneth of Lowry City, Mo., and Irene Hicks and husband Mike of Amoret, Mo.; special friend Linda Wadel; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great- great-gandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Georgia McCoy; three sons, Irvin, Paul and Duane; one daughter, Sue Hodges; three stepsons, Leroy, Butch and Rusty; a stepdaughter, Evelyn Hoover; one sister, Louise Methis; two granddaughters, Annie Purdy and Angie Heigh; and great-grandson, Paul Purdy.
Funeral services were Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016, at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Mo., with Brother Charles King officiating. Burial was in West Hills Memorial Park in Yakima, Wash. Contributions to American Cancer Society. Online condolences, www.schowengerdtchapel.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
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

