James Walter Meech, age 62, passed away Monday, Sept. 2, 2019, with his wife, kids and close friends near, on his farm home near Fort Scott, Kan., after a battle with Gliosarcoma brain cancer. Jim was born April 18, 1957, in Fort Scott, the son of Dennis Walter and Estella E. (Gier) Meech.
He married Marita Miller on Sept. 8, 1984, in Fort Scott. They have two children, which he was extremely proud of, Elizabeth Marie Meech and John W. (JW) Meech.
As a young adult, Jim worked in the mechanic shop at Midwestern Distribution and Charlie Griffiths Cattle and also hauled cattle for Bob Walrod at Fort Scott Livestock on weekends.
Over the years, he enjoyed pulling his International 1066 farm tractor at local tractor pulls and was proud of his kids competing in pedal tractor pulls when they were young at the local, state, national and international levels. Jim beamed with pride when he talked about his kids’ horse and rodeo accomplishments.
Farming was deep in Jim’s blood. He was a very successful farmer, as he spent his entire life farming and ranching in Bourbon and Linn counties. Beginning after his graduation in 1975 from Fort Scott High School, Jim worked with his family on Triple M Farms, until his dad’s passing in 1992. From 1992-2012, Jim was a partner in Meech Brothers Farms. Since 2013, Jim worked/operated Jim Meech Farms with his wife, Marita.
Jim is survived by his wife, Marita, of the home; a daughter, Elizabeth Meech, Borger, Texas, and son JW Meech, Canyon, Texas; his mother-in-law, Venita Miller, Kincaid, Kan.; paternal aunts, Itha Jean and husband Harold Turntine, and Jewell Ross, Topeka, Kan.; and maternal aunts, Lela Ann Gier, Fort Scott, and Geneva Gier, Girard, Kan. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Dennis W. Meech; his paternal grandparents, Juell Walter Meech and Elsie May Finney Meech, and his uncle, Billy G. Meech; and his maternal grandparents, Oscar and Lizzie Goff Gier, his aunt, Opal Gier, and his uncles, Charles and Merle Gier.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, at the Schneider Funeral Home, Pleasanton, Kan. Burial will be in the Glendale Cemetery near Hammond, Kan. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Sept. 6, 2019, at the Schneider Funeral Home in Pleasanton.
The family suggests contributions to the Jim Meech Farmers/Ranchers in Health Crisis Fund. Online condolences for the family can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com . Arrangements: Schneider Funerals, Pleasanton.
OBITUARIES
Gene Raymond Mitchell ~ 10-27-1938 to 11-24-2022

Linn County News Published May 24, 2023 Gene Raymond Mitchell, 84 years, passed away on November 24, 2022 in his home Grand Rapids, Mich. He was born in Kansas City, Kan., the third child of Otto and Ruby Mitchell. Preceded in death by his parents and brother,... [More]
Richard Scott Secrest ~ 05-29-1929 to 05-16-2023

Linn County News Published May 17, 2023 Richard Scott Secrest, age 93 of Nevada, Mo., formerly of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. He was born the son of Ancil and Beulah (Jackson) Secrest on May 29, 1929, at Edgerton, Kan. Richard married... [More]
Donald Raymond Wier ~ 07-09-1940 to 05-11-2023

Linn County News Published May 17, 2023 Donald Raymond Wier, age 82, of Denton, Texas, passed away on May 11, 2023. The second child of Lloyd Elmer and Thelma Olan (Meek) Wier, Don was born on July 9, 1940, in Fort Scott, Kan., a farm kid who excelled in... [More]
More Obituaries
- Gerald Lee “Jerry” Allison ~ 10-15-1939 to 05-14-2023
- Raymond Milton White ~ 08-09-1925 to 05-06-2023
- Loretta Mae “Sis” Brown ~ 01-17-1944 to 05-07-2023
- Sharon Kay Ala ~ 05-01-1944 to 05-01-2023
- James Frances Ptacek ~ 10-01-1928 to 04-01-2023
- Dale Deer ~ 05-25-1940 to 04-30-2023
- Dale Deer ~ 05-25-1940 to 04-30-2023
- Sharon Kay Ala ~ 05-01-1944 to 05-01-2023
NEWS
Health and cancer screening to be held June 3

A health and cancer screening event is planned for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 3 at the Pleasanton United Methodist Church, 751 Main Street. This event will have prostrate and skin cancer screenings, take-home colorectal cancer screening kits, blood pressure readings, tobacco... [More]
Third annual Thunder on the Street set for June 3

This year’s Thunder on the Street event, set for June 3 on Main Street in Pleasanton, promises several activities for all ages. The wall of death is back this year, only under a new company - Ives Brothers Wall of Death and promises tons of gravity defying entertainment.... [More]
Memorial Day events in Linn County

Saturday, May 27 Linn Valley Memorial Day ceremony at the memorial at 10 a.m. Prescott Cemetery Memorial Day ceremony at 10:30 a.m.; a potluck lunch will follow at the Community Building in Prescott with the city providing the meat, drinks and table service.... [More]
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- SPECIAL: K-152 resurfacing project to begin in late May
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SPORTS
Prairie View girls win 3A State track meet

The Prairie View track team traveled to Wichita May 26-27 to compete in the 3A State track championship and brought home some hardware to say the least. The girls’ team earned the school’s first State track championship as they scored 41.5 points to win the 3A girls’... [More]
Jayhawk boys bring home multiple medals at State track

The Jayhawk-Linn track team traveled to Wichita on May 26-27 to compete in the 2A State track championship. The Hawks were well represented this year as they sent a total of 13, seven girls and six boys, to State. The boys’ team earned multiple medals at the meet. Gus... [More]
More Sports
- Jayhawk softball wins Regional, advances to State
- Lady Buffs win Regional track meet
- Pleasanton track qualifies six for State
- Prairie View girls win Pioneer League track meet
- Pleasanton track places fourth in TRL meet
- Jayhawk track places top two at TRL meet
- Prairie View softball 3-0 against Osawatomie and Girard
- Jayhawk softball sweeps Marmaton Valley and splits against Uniontown

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