Linn County News
Published Jan. 2, 2019
Wayne “Red” McCune of Rich Hill, Mo., passed away on Dec. 27, 2018. Wayne was born on April 19, 1937, in Nevada, Mo., to Virgil Franklin McCune and Jessie (Osborne) McCune. His early years were spent in Nevada before moving to a farm in Walker, Mo., in 1943. He attended high school in Walker and graduated salutatorian with the class of 1955.
Wayne’s graduation was his second date with Wanda Emerson. By Dec. 28, 1958, they were married and remained married for almost 60 years until his death.
Wayne and Wanda made their first home in Eureka, Kan. In building Wayne’s experience in the grocery business, they moved to Emporia, Kan., Nevada, Mo., Springfield, Mo., and finally settled in Rich Hill in 1972.
Wayne started working in the grocery business as a teenager. He managed his first meat department by the age of 20 and his first grocery store by 24. By 1970, Wayne was vice president of Ramey’s – a large grocery chain based in Springfield, Mo. In August of 1972, Wayne and Wanda fulfilled their dream of owning their own store when they bought the Rich Hill store from Fred Marquardt. This is where they would settle with their family, and Wayne would become known as “Red.” Throughout the years, Wayne would own a share of partnership in stores in Golden City, Mo., Lamar, Mo., Butler, Mo., Nevada, Mo., La Cygne, Kan., and Mound City, Kan. (which both began as joint ventures with longtime friends Fred and Billie Lee), and Pleasanton, Kan.
Wayne loved being involved in his community, his church and his country. He was an active member in the Lions Club, spent two years as president of the Chamber of Commerce, and many years as a director on the board of Security Bank of Rich Hill and eventually Citizens Bank. He served as a trustee and deacon for the First Baptist Church for over 25 years. Wayne proudly served in the National Guard, first based at Camp Clark in Nevada, and eventually based at the Springfield Aviation Repair Depot, where he became a helicopter mechanic. Wayne enjoyed telling stories of his time in the National Guard, like when he became a driver for several VIPs or worked as a cook and earned the name “Pepper Red.”
Wayne had a variety of hobbies. He enjoyed traveling and took his family all across the United States. He was an avid water-skier and boater and spent many days on the lake with friends and family. He loved slalom skiing and sharing the experience with others. Wayne’s passion for farming saw him spend many years acquiring and developing land and raising cattle. Hauling hay was a family outing everyone was able to enjoy.
Anyone that knew Wayne knew of his love for cars. He attended auto shows and antique car sales. Throughout the years he acquired several classic cars and won a few trophies in local shows and parades.
One of Wayne’s greatest passions was helping others – whether it was a child having a bad day at the store, an individual a little down on their luck, or someone needing advice or help in their business endeavors. Wayne knew what it took to succeed and gladly shared that knowledge with anyone who wished to do the same.
Wayne loved his family and in later life savored his role as great grandfather. He leaves behind his wife Wanda Sue (Emerson) McCune; a son, Bruce Allen McCune; a daughter, Beth Ann McCune; a granddaughter, Candace LeAnn (McCune) Wilson; and two great grandchildren, Bailie and Bryson. Also surviving is his sister, Joyce Trujillo, of Cheyenne, Wyo.
Wayne was an incredible man who will be greatly missed by his community, his friends and most importantly, his family.
Funeral services were held Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, at the First Baptist Church in Nevada. Interment was at Newton Burial Park in Nevada. The American Legion Post No. 67 of Rich Hill rendered the military rites.
OBITUARIES
Gary Ray Johnson ~ 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025

Linn County News Published June 4, 2025 Gary Ray Johnson, age 90 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on May 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, June 2, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home in Pleasanton, Kan. Visitation... [More]
Rees Lyle Shattuck ~ 08-31-1931 to 05-26-2025

Linn County News Published May 28, 2025 Rees Lyle Shattuck, age 93, Prescott, Kan., passed away Monday, May 26, 2025. He was born on Aug. 31, 1931, in Boicourt, Kan., the son of Rees Wilbur and Lulu Elizabeth Black Shattuck. He served his country in the United... [More]
Wayne Eldon Long ~ 07-03-1942 to 05-24-2025

Linn County News Published May 28, 2025 Wayne Eldon Long, age 82, of Parker, Kan., passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Wayne was born on July 3, 1942, in Garnett, Kan., the son of Homer Leon and Margaret Ethel (Collins) Long. He was one of three children and... [More]
More Obituaries
- John Ted Miles ~ 01-29-1960 to 05-01-2025
- Zachary Eldon White ~ 06-12-1992 to 04-29-2025
- Rebecca S. Landers 12-30-1964 to 04-18-2025
- Ira Johnathan “Sonny” Robinson ~ 04-10-1944 to 04-26-2025
- Paul Dean Benham ~ 09-23-1944 to 04-26-2025
- Bonnie Faye Bishop ~ 03-25-1949 to 04-22-2025
- Lois A. Murray ~ 11-03-1931 to 04-20-2025
- Dr. Howard F. Wilson ~ 02-05-1938 to 04-20-2025
NEWS
SPECIAL: Commission to vote Monday on Parker Center lease

Linn County commissioners plan to vote at their weekly 9 a.m. meeting next Monday, June 2, on a 99-year lease agreement with Parker and their Senior Center building. At Tuesday's weekly Commission meeting, delayed by a day because of Monday's federal Memorial Day observance,... [More]
Despite Chamber loss, Blast in the Park fireworks will go off

Council actions include split vote on deed conveyance Hearing of the disbandment of its local Chamber of Commerce, La Cygne leaders have verbally concurred that the city’s part in the annual Blast in the Park festivities will go on. Following that Chamber notification... [More]
Linn Valley discusses city hall funding sources

The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, with Mayor Lew Donelson presiding and all council members present. Donelson informed the council of two potential opportunities for funding a new City Hall building. ... [More]
More News
- USD 362 board rejects adding bus A/C
- SPECIAL: Blue Mound man seriously injured in accident
- Commissioners make official statement on Tanglewood roads
- La Cygne okays local police firing range
- Mound City council adopts rules for camping
- LCSO releases statement on incident
- Pleasanton requests 1-year automatic aid fire extension
- Commissioners hear update, discuss aid agreement for Pleasanton FD
SPORTS
Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State

The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to West Franklin on May 22 to compete in the 3A Regional. As a team the girls placed 10th with a score of 22.5 points while the boys were fifth with 56 points. This year the top three places in each event qualify for the State meet then... [More]
School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka

The Pleasanton track team traveled to Eureka on May 22 for a 2A Regional track meet. This year the top three places advance to the State meet along the top four times/distances not from the top three from all other Regionals. This year the Jays qualified eight athletes in seven... [More]
More Sports
- Lady Hawks win league as Hawks host TRL meet
- Pleasanton track sets school records at Pioneer League track meet
- Prairie View track sets meet and league records at Wellsville
- Pleasanton baseball splits against Jayhawk
- Prairie View softball defeats Osawatomie and Girard
- Jayhawk baseball earns win over Pleasanton
- Prairie View track has a great day as they host home invitational
- Jayhawk track places top three at Prairie View
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

