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Linn County News

Published May 10, 2023

 

James Francis Ptacek, 94, of Parker, Kan., died on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at Kansas City Hospice House, in Kansas City, Mo.

Jim was born on Oct. 1, 1928, in Emporia, Kan., to Antone and Martha (Rezac) Ptacek.  He attended schools near Miller, Kan., until his family moved to Wichita, where he graduated from Wichita East High School. While working, Jim began studying at Wichita State University. On June 14, 1950, he married the love of his life, Mima Jeanne Hunt at Eastside Methodist Church in Wichita, Kan. They were married for 69 years before she passed away. Jim proudly served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War stationed at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, MS. After his enlistment, Jim enrolled in Kansas State University where he pursued a degree in electrical engineering, graduating in 1957 with his Bachelor’s of Science.

His career as an electrical engineer was with three companies in the Kansas City area: Vendo, Alfa Laval, and Labconco. Jim was a true do-it-yourselfer who spent hours using his resourcefulness to improve his home and repair anything from Audi 5000s to refrigerators to lawn mowers. He could often be found helping his boys or his neighbors and friends repair their vehicles. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren called him “Opa.” He was proud of his Czech heritage. For many years, he was active in Linn County Republicans and the Richland Grange.  He was a member of the Mound City United Methodist Church where he served in various positions and used his knowledge to upgrade the church electrical wiring and to install the sound system.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Mima Jeanne Ptacek; one son, Larry Ptacek; one daughter-in-law, Karen Ptacek; one grandson, Richard Francis Ptacek; two brothers, Louis and Tom; and one sister, Marjorie. 

He is survived by two sons, Steve Ptacek and Richard Ptacek and his wife Joannie; five grandchildren, Shannon Kay Kreienheder, Shelby Rae Ptacek, Mary Lee Deaver, Robert James Ptacek, and Gina Nicole Ptacek; and three great-granddaughters, Raegan Kaylyn and Scarlett Ann Kreienheder, and Gemma Moon Stone.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at the Mound City United Methodist Church with a luncheon to follow. Private family interment will take place in Graceland Cemetery, Burlington, Kan. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Kansas City Hospice House or Mound City United Methodist Church in care of Schneider Funeral Home, 319 Chestnut, Mound City, Kansas 66056.

OBITUARIES

Morgan Leon Wakefield ~ 05-08-1996 to 09-09-2025

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  Linn County News Published September 17, 2025   Morgan Leon Wakefield was called home to heaven on September 9, 2025. Morgan was born May 8, 1996, in Olathe, Kan., to Shane and Debbie (Snyder) Wakefield of Mound City, Kan. From an early age, he showed a... [More]

Jackie “Jack” Howard Shroyer ~ 01-24-1940 to 09-04-2025

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  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

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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]

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NEWS

Pleasanton council votes 2-2 on RNR, budget

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The Pleasanton City Council met on Monday, Sept. 15, and began the meeting with a hearing on the revenue neutral rate (RNR) followed by the budget hearing. With no one in the audience coming forward to speak on either, the hearings were opened and closed without incident and... [More]

Mine Creek Battlefield bridge ribbon cutting this weekend

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JLHS sophomore Aron Coleman is not new to community projects; this time he’s completed a bridge for his Eagle Scout badge so those using trails at Mine Creek Battlefield can traverse from one side of Mine Creek to the other. The ribbon cutting commemorating the new bridge... [More]

USD 346 to exceed RNR; approves budget

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During the revenue neutral hearing and the budget hearing for the district on Sept. 8, the USD 346 Board of Education voted to approve the superintendents’ recommendation to exceed revenue neutral with a proposed mill rate of 54.144.  The board then approved the... [More]

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SPORTS

Wade and Schneider start impressive girls’ golf season for the Buffalos and Hawks

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Both the Prairie View and Jayhawk Linn girls’ golf teams competed at Fort Scott and Pittsburg this past week. The teams traveled to Fort Scott on Sept. 9 to compete in the Fort Scott Invitational and then to Pittsburg on Sept. 11 to compete in the Colgan Invitational. ... [More]

Turnovers and other mistakes see Hawks fall at Anderson County 27-6

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The Jayhawk Linn football team hosted Anderson County on Sept. 12 for their first “home” game of the season. Anderson County is class 3A in football compared to Jayhawk’s 1A and is the Pioneer League so the Hawks had their work cut out for them. Jayhawk played... [More]

Prairie View girls’ cross country leads the Buffalos at Fort Scott

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The Prairie View girls’ cross-country team traveled to Fort Scott for the Fort Scott Invitational on Sept. 11. The Buffalos performed well at the meet on both the girls’ and boys’ side. The girls in particular performed well as the 7th grade girls got 1st... [More]

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PLEASANTON WEATHER

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

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