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
Ruth Ann Antrim ~ 05-21-1951 to 07-07-2025

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Ruth Ann Antrim, formerly Hueston, passed away July 7, 2025, after bravely battling cancer for many years. Ruth Ann was 74 years old. She lived and worked in the Mound City and Fort Scott, Kan., areas her... [More]
Helen Maxine Wright ~ 05-28-1939 to 06-19-2025

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Helen Maxine Wright, age 86, formerly of Blue Mound, Kan., passed away at her home in Abbyville, Kan., on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Funeral service was held at 11 a.m., Monday, July 7, 2025, at the Community... [More]
Kelly Kehl ~ 03-25-1938 to 06-28-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Kelly Kehl, age 87, of Mound City, Kan., passed away Saturday, June 28, 2025, at his rural Mound City home. Kelly was born March 25, 1938, south of Parker, Kan., to Keith (Tom) Emerson Kehl and Helen Edith (Giffin) Kehl. Kelly... [More]
More Obituaries
- Kandi Kay Cruse ~ 03-29-1958 to 06-27-2025
- Jessica Cae Pritchett ~ 08-30-1981 to 06-26-2025
- Jackie Junior “Jack” Hewitt ~ 07-17-1935 to 06-18-2025
- Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith ~ 11-19-1935 to 06-07-2025
- Ron Arbogast ~ 08-31-1946 to 06-05-2025
- Richard “Dick” Smith ~ 04-18-1942 to 06-22-2025
- Charles Edwin Sutterby ~ 06-20-1951 to 06-19-2025
- Windfred Allen DeMott ~ 09-15-1940 to 06-07-2025
NEWS
Commissioners discuss various budgets

SEKMHC in mix At the end of a meeting attended by two of the three commissioners, a discussion was held regarding several of the proposed budgets for next year. Commissioners Alison Hamilton and Jim Johnson first discussed the proposed budget for Southeast Kansas Mental Health.... [More]
City learns of fire gear condition

Pleasanton Fire Department ISO inspection July 16 Following the appointment of new Fire Chief Jimmy Watts as Pleasanton Fire Chief, the Pleasanton Council heard of the condition of bunker gear Monday night at their bi-weekly meeting. Watts reported the truck ran with the... [More]
La Cygne leaders discuss food truck follow-up

Police chief to draft updated clarifying ordinance La Cygne leaders anticipate considering a draft ordinance soon on transient food trucks following discussion at last Wednesday’s regular council meeting precipitated by a local business owner’s complaint last month.... [More]
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- special: SCOTUS agrees to hear Women's Sports Case
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- NOTICE:
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- Commissioners discuss development zoning appeals
- Questions on employee emails leads to lengthy discussion
- NOTICE:
- Tanglewood Lakes files suit against Board of County Commissioners
SPORTS
Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament

The team called Nobodys wins the Blue Mound 4th of July co-ed softball tournament on July 5. This year the tournament consisted of eight teams. The Nobodys is Keith Morrell’s team and has been a part of the softball tournament since it started three years ago.
Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship

The Pleasanton 12-14 baseball team wins their league tournament on June 30 to July 1. Pleasanton hosted the tournament and won in the championship against La Cygne 11-7.
More Sports
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship
- Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad
- Prairie View trapshooting competes at State
- 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
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

