Linn County News
Published June 14, 2017
James Kenneth “Kenny” McClanahan, 83, La Cygne, Kan., passed away on Thursday, June 8, 2017. He was born on March 1, 1934, in La Cygne, the second of eight children born to Elmer and Fern Edwards McClanahan.
Kenny graduated from La Cygne High School in the Class of 1954.
He united in marriage with Arlene Culter on Aug. 29, 1954. Kenny and Arlene made their home in La Cygne. They were together for 62 years and raised five children.
He worked and retired from Farmland Industries.
Kenny was very active in the community, serving on the Park Board, La Cygne City Council, Historical Society and Planning Commission. The community appreciated and recognized his service by making him the 2006 Grand Marshal of the La Cygne Fiesta.
Aside from all his service to the city, what he loved the most was softball. He started coaching his children’s teams in the 1970s. After his children were grown, Kenny continued to coach the daughters of the community for several years, winning many tournaments including the state in 1986. While coaching and umpiring, he became the Kansas Amateur Softball Association Deputy District Commissioner for several years. During his retirement, he was instrumental in getting the Prairie View High School softball program approved and started.
Kenny also enjoyed fishing, frogging, boating and camping. He was a quiet man but love d to tell a good story. Many times he would start laughing so hard he would cry before he finished telling it.
He was a longtime member of the B.P.O.E. 921, Osawatomie and the Calvary Baptist Church, La Cygne.
Kenny was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Jess and Carl; and two sisters, Cleda Fern and Vickie.
He is survived by his wife and best friend Arlene; three sons and their wives, Kenny and Joyce, Mike and Jody, and Randy and Renee; two daughters, Cheryl and Gary Weis and Tracy and Todd Williams; three sisters, Carol and Joyce Brewer and Linda Dodge; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.
Graveside service was held Tuesday, June 13, 2017, at the Oak Lawn Cemetery.
The family suggests contributions to the Prairie View Softball Program or Calvary Baptist Church. Online condolences for the family can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.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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- 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

