Jim Norton never met a stranger and was a true friend to everyone who knew and loved him.
Jim died unexpectedly Feb. 14, 2015. He was born Nov. 11, 1944, to Maxine and Junior Norton. He was a joy to his parents and learned to love the land and all of nature from them. He drove a tractor by age ten and worked many days alongside his dad on their farm east of La Cygne, Kan. Jim was active in 4-H, sports and music and graduated from La Cygne High school in 1962. Jim took over the family farm that year after the death of his father. In the late 1960s, Jim moved to Texas and began a successful career selling commercial real estate. He was actively involved in that business until his untimely death.
Jim’s hobbies were football, cooking and travel. He and his wife, Carol, found their paradise in Belize and spent wonderful times there with new friends and family. His chicken fried steaks were a favorite with his Belize friends. He loved to cook for friends and family and most weekends found him and Carol entertaining with a lovely view of Lake Dallas as the backdrop. Jim enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest every day. Many wonderful family memories were made during his seventy years.
Jim was preceded in death by his father, Harry Norton Jr.; mother, Maxine Norton Mooney; stepfather, Harold Mooney Jr.; stepbrother, Robert Mooney; grandparents, Earl and Ida Miller, and Harry and Bonnie Norton.
He is survived by his wife Carol Norton; daughters, Jamie Norton Chambers and husband Jerry of La Cygne, Jill Norton VanLerberg of Spring Hill, Heather Norton Seward and husband Scott of Windermere, Fla.; stepdaughters, Fionna of Dallas and Eileen McEvoy of Houston; sister Beverly Norton Awalt and husband John of Fairfield, Texas; brother, Larry Mooney and wife Jeanette of Paola; eight grandchildren; and nieces, nephews and his beloved pets.
Services will be held at the Schneider Funeral Home in La Cygne, Kan., 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. and the service at 2 p.m. Interment is at Oak Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or a charity of choice.
On line condolences for the family may be left at www.schneider funerals.com. Arrangements: Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, La Cygne Chapel.
OBITUARIES
Jackie “Jack” Howard Shroyer ~ 01-24-1940 to 09-04-2025

Linn County News Published September 10, 2025 Jackie "Jack" Howard Shroyer, age 85 of Prescott, Kan., passed away on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. Jack was born the son of Eugene and Lillie Ruth (Blangy) Shroyer on Jan. 24, 1940, in Prescott, Kan. He... [More]
Wallace “Mack” Probasco ~ 07-05-1959 to 09-02-2025

Linn County News Published September 10, 2025 Wallace “Mack” Probasco, age 66 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away at his home on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. He was born the son of Francis Mack and Edna E. Wallace Probasco on July 5, 1959, in Fort Scott,... [More]
Martha F. Couch ~ 01-03-1929 to 07-18-2025

Linn County News Published September 10, 2025 It is with much sorrow that the family of Martha Frasier Couch, a woman of deep faith and compassion, shares the news that she passed away peacefully on July 18, 2025, just months after the passing of her husband, Keith,... [More]
More Obituaries
- George Teagarden ~ 01-30-1943 to 09-01-2025
- John Clayton Bowman ~ 02-01-1944 to 08-17-2025
- Arnold Joseph Lickteig ~ 05-16-1931 to 07-31-2025
- Joe W. Mann ~ 09-02-1951 to 07-26-2025
- Jean Driskell ~ 03-22-1943 to 07-18-2025
- Burton Clyde Brownback ~ 05-21-1953 to 07-13-2025
- Ruth Ann Antrim ~ 05-21-1951 to 07-07-2025
- Helen Maxine Wright ~ 05-28-1939 to 06-19-2025
NEWS
Property taxes and how they work

In Kansas, there is a definitive process for determining what the property taxes are on any given piece of property. Did you know that according to SmartAsset.com Linn County has the second lowest property tax average in the entire state? According to information available... [More]
Pleasanton Fire Department personnel hiring questioned

What started out as a department update from Pleasanton Fire Chief Jeff Wisdom, turned into a showdown between councilmembers and the mayor in who was hired as volunteer firefighters in Pleasanton. Wisdom informed the council he was beginning training for new firefighters September... [More]
Commission ‘bares’ down to pass public nudity ban

Linn County commissioners passed a resolution banning public nudity at its Sept. 2 weekly meeting, delayed a day for the governmental Labor Day holiday. Resolution No. 2025-16, enacted on a 2-0 vote with Alison Hamilton not present, forbids nudity on public property or outside... [More]
More News
- Paris Township voting location to move to Mound City
- USD 362 passes 2025-26 school budget
- Parker appoints police chief
- SPECIAL: Drainpipe replacement on K-31 in Linn County
- Linn County News website gets new update
- Commissioners vote 1-1 on motion to not exceed revenue neutral
- Linn Valley looks at option for fire truck purchase, new vehicles
- Sheriff speaks out on employee benefits
SPORTS
Alvarez leads Pleasanton cross country

The Pleasanton cross country team traveled to Garnett for their first meet of the year on Sept. 4 at the Annual Jerry Howarter Invitational. The Jays had runners in both the junior high and high school races. Dominic Alvarez led the Hawks as he earned a medal and placed... [More]
Jayhawk football starts season with shutout over Central Heights

The Jayhawk Linn football team traveled to Fort Scott on Sept. 5 to host the Central Heights Vikings for their first game of the season. This was supposed to be a home game for the Hawks but had to be played at Fort Scott because the field was not ready. The game began with... [More]
Spradling era kicks off with oohhs and 'Oz'
Jason Spradling's head coaching era at Prairie View debuted with plenty of oohhs and 'Oz' Friday night. The oohhs came from an offensive running attack that amassed 612 rushing yards, all but 99 in the first half, and saw Buffalo four-year starters Parker Schwarz gain 287 yards... [More]
More Sports
- Frog gigging a new ‘old sport’
- Fishing Derby kicks off at Linn County Fair
- Linn County Farm Bureau hosts annual pedal pull
- From the Bleachers – 717
- Annual demo derby kicks off this year’s Linn County Fair and Rodeo
- From the Bleachers - 719
- Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship
- Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com
