Linn County News
Published Oct. 10, 2018
Howard “Jack” Hayes, age 87, passed away peacefully Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at his home in Nevada, Mo., after a lengthy illness. He was surrounded by his family, including his six sons. He was born June 29, 1931, in Louisburg, to Sam and Madge (Smith) Hayes.
He married his high school sweetheart, Marian Conley, on June 9, 1951, in Long Beach, Calif., just before he was deployed to the Korean War.
Jack attended school in Pleasanton. In 1945 he enlisted in the Kansas State Guard (later reorganized as the Kansas Army National Guard). He graduated from Pleasanton High School in 1950. He was the first in his family to graduate high school. Later that year, on Dec. 1, 1950, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served on the USS Hopewell (DD681) from 1950-1954 during the Korean War.
After Jack was honorably discharged from the Navy, he and Marian settled in southern California, and he began working for San Diego Gas and Electric. While working full-time, Jack attended night school at San Diego City College where he graduated in 1961 with an Associate’s Degree.
While living in California, he learned to scuba dive and enjoyed diving in the bay of Baja, Calif. He was also a charter member of the local VFW, helping to organize the post in Chula Vista, Calif.
In 1966, they relocated to Linn County, and he worked for Bendix Corp. in Kansas City. In 1971, he went to work for Bechtel Power Corp. where he traveled nationally and internationally building fossil fuel and nuclear power plants. He retired after 20 years as an electrical superintendent.
During his life, Jack was active in his church and community. In 1964, Jack joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He enjoyed teaching Sunday school and had numerous other callings in the church. He also served as a Scout Master with the Boy Scouts (where he organized the BSA troop in Mound City). He enjoyed fishing, hunting and spending time with his family. He was a great story teller and had a great sense of humor.
Jack is survived by his wife Marian of 67 years; his six sons, Mike and Nancy Hayes, Pleasanton, Kan., Craig and Pam Hayes, Nevada, Mo., Duane and Kathy Hayes, Rio Rancho, N.M., Jeff and Kim Hayes, Cherokee, Iowa, Douglas and Rosanne Hayes, Leavenworth, Kan., and Sam and Malu Hayes, Republic, Mo.; 23 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by two sisters, Ellen Mae and Richard Butts, and Margie Stroud; and brother-in-law Raymond Troth.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Madge Hayes; his sister, Dorothy Troth; and brother-in-law Bill Stroud.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada, Mo. The funeral will be held at the Nevada chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 15. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. in the Brooklyn Cemetery in rural Linn County.
The family would like to give a special thank you to Linsey, Don, Janelle and Kyle of Heartland Hospice for their exceptional care and support of Jack and the family during his time of need.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Vernon County Cancer Relief fund. Condolences may be left online at www.ferryfuneralhome.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]
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- NOTICE
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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
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

