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
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
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

