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
Kelly Kehl ~ 03-25-1938 to 06-28-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Kelly Kehl, age 87, of Mound City, Kan., passed away Saturday, June 28, 2025, at his rural Mound City home. Kelly was born March 25, 1938, south of Parker, Kan., to Keith (Tom) Emerson Kehl and Helen Edith (Giffin) Kehl. Kelly... [More]
Kandi Kay Cruse ~ 03-29-1958 to 06-27-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Kandi Kay Cruse passed away on June 27, 2025, at the age of 67 after a valiant battle with cancer. Born on March 29, 1958, in Colorado Springs, Colo., Kandi’s zest for life and carefree spirit were evident from an early age. She... [More]
Jessica Cae Pritchett ~ 08-30-1981 to 06-26-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Jessica Cae Pritchett age 43 of Parker, Kan., died Thursday, June 26, 2025, at Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Visitation will be 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Eddy Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie, Kan. ... [More]
More Obituaries
- 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
- 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
NEWS
special: SCOTUS agrees to hear Women's Sports Case

Case paves the way for states to continue to protect women and girl's athletic opportunities Topeka, Kan. July 3, 2025 - Today, the Supreme Court of the United States granted certiorari in Hecox v. Little and West Va., v. BPJ. Rep.... [More]
SPECIA;: Schmidt Votes to Cancel Massive Tax Hike, Secure Border, and Lower Federal Spending

WASHINGTON, DC: Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) issued the following statement regarding passage of the budget reconciliation bill by the U.S. House of Representatives, also called the “One Big Beautiful Bill”: “Last November,... [More]
NOTICE:

The Linn County News and Linn County Printing offices will be closed on Friday, July 4, in honor of the holiday.
More News
- Pleasanton awarded $617,000 KDOT street grant
- Commissioners discuss development zoning appeals
- Questions on employee emails leads to lengthy discussion
- NOTICE:
- Tanglewood Lakes files suit against Board of County Commissioners
- Case filed alleging exploitation of minors, breach of privacy
- La Cygne executes pool bond defeasance
- CANCELED: Statewide Purple Alert issued for missing Yates Center woman
SPORTS
Gratton at Nationals

Pleasanton’s Ashton Gratton qualifies for the Adidas Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina after winning the 100 and 200 meter dashes in the KSHSAA 2A State tournament in Wichita on May 31. The Adidas Nationals took place from June 20-22 and Gratton did well in both the... [More]
Summer Ball Tournaments

The Parker 8-11 baseball team 1 places first in their league tournament at La Cygne on June 28. See more photos on page B1 of this week's edition.
More Sports
- 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
- 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
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

