Jerald Dene Cowel, 85, formerly of Cedar Vale, Kan., passed away Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015 at Medicalodge of Arkansas City, Kan.
Jerald was born April 25, 1930, in Wichita, Kan., the son of Ira Raymond and Mattie Isabelle (Snipes) Cowel. He was raised in Wichita and in Linn County, Kan.
After his schooling, he went to work. And work is what he did almost his entire life. He enjoyed being self-employed. He worked in heavy equipment operation and did lots of demolition jobs in Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Missouri throughout his career.
For 35 years he was married to Mildred Beach Corn and she preceded him in death in March of 2010.
He was known in the later part of his life as the “Rock Man” for his collection of decorative rocks that people would get from him. He was a special man who sacrificed everything to help those in need and whom he cared for. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
His family includes his siblings, LaVerne Ray of Velma, Okla., Ronald Cowel and wife Donna of Arkansas City, Kan., Marilyn Megenity and husband William of Kansas City, Kan.; his nieces and nephews, Carole Corley of Garden City, Kan., Martin Ray of Plano, Texas, Connie Phillips of Duncan, Okla., Terry Bice of Bridgeport, Ala., Kim Meyers of Kansas City, Mo., Tammy Champagne of Wellington, Kan., Courtney Cowel of Jopin, Mo., Samantha Ross of Wichita, Kan., William Patrick Megenity of Denison, Texas, Raymond Michael Megenity of Humboldt, Kan., and Breandan Philbert of Kansas City, Kan.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Raymond C. Cowel.
Cremation has been effected and Shelley Family Funeral Home & Crematory was in charge of arrangements. No services are scheduled.
OBITUARIES
Katherine Paulette Curry ~ 02-27-1945 to 01-31-2026
Linn County News Published February 4, 2026 Kathryn Paulette Curry, age 80, La Cygne, Kan., passed away Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. She was born on Feb. 27, 1945, in Kansas City, Mo., the daughter of Rudolph George and Dorothy Trecel Burrous Obermeier. She graduated... [More]
Terry Dean Crump ~ 02-03-1942 to 01-27-2026
Linn County News Published February 4, 2026 Terry Dean Crump, Mound City, Kan., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. He was born on Feb. 3, 1942, in Topeka, Kan., the son of Clifford and Carol Griffin Crump. He worked as a foreman and machine operator... [More]
Viola May “Budd” Ralston ~ 02-04-1933 to 01-21-2026
Linn County News Published February 4, 2026 Viola May “Budd” (Cunningham) Ralston, age 92, of Parker, Kan., passed away Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, at her home. Viola was born Feb. 4, 1933, in Garnett, Kan. She was one of nine children born to Ora... [More]
More Obituaries
- Jerel Lynn Pankratz ~ 12-08-1956 to 01-20-2026
- Mitzi Allen Coe ~ 08-14-1953 to 01-17-2026
- Marsha Ann White ~ 07-24-1944 to 11-02-2025
- Gerald LeRoy “Jerry” Shaw 05-24-1942 to 12-10-2025
- Mark William Madl ~ 05-05-1955 to 01-03-2026
- Gary Andrew McCarty ~ 06-01-1949 to 08-19-2025
- Randall E. Taylor, Sr. ~ 09-24-1959 to 01-17-2026
- Linda L. Janssen ~ 09-23-1947 to 12-31-2025
NEWS
SEKMHC Executive Director suspended by board of trustees
Just days after testifying in front of the Kansas State Legislature regarding the organization’s salaries and operations, Nathan Fawson, Executive Director of SEKMHC, which is based in Iola, Kan., but encompasses six separate counties, was suspended from his position with... [More]
Deputy Parscale receives award from Sheriff’s Association
Patrol Sgt. Klayton Parscale, a deputy with the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, was nominated by Linn County Sheriff James Akes for an award to be presented at the Kansas Sheriff’s Association Awards Ceremony. It was suggested that the Kansas Sheriff’s Association... [More]
Pleasanton Council appoints fifth member
After calling Monday’s meeting to order and hearing from two residents, the council moved on to discuss the council seat left vacant after Bill Skipper resigned. City Attorney Jacklyn Paletta once again explained the steps that would have to be taken to avoid a costly... [More]
More News
- Commissioners take action on P&Z items
- Pleasanton water plant looks at potential $4-$6 million replacement
- La Cygne City Council approves several motions
- Pleasanton employees call out hostility from council
- County commissioners hear request to update FMLA policy
- Pleasanton Council appointment again draws heated discussion
- SPECIAL: Pleasanton water plant looks at potential $4-$6 million replacement
- Linn Valley swears in new mayor, councilman
SPORTS
Jayhawk girls’ basketball sweeps Yates Center and Pleasanton
The Jayhawk girls’ basketball team hosted both Yates Center and Pleasanton this past week. It was Courtwarming week and faced Yates Center on Jan. 29 and Pleasanton on Jan. 30. The Lady Hawks defeated Yates Center 53-33 and Pleasanton 53-10. Yates Center played the... [More]
Pleasanton boys’ basketball continues winning ways with victories over Crest and Jayhawk
The Pleasanton boys’ basketball team played Crest and Jayhawk this past week and won both games over them. The team hosted Crest on Jan. 29 and won that game 61-50 before traveling to Jayhawk on Jan. 30 and winning that game 47-42. The Crest game started with the Jays... [More]
Prairie View basketball hosts Burlington and Osawatomie
The Prairie View basketball teams hosted Burlington and Osawatomie this past week. The Buffalos played Burlington on Jan. 27 and both the girls and boys lost to the Wildcats. The girls’ game started with Burlington getting a 16-4 lead and then leading 33-16 at halftime.... [More]
More Sports
- Prairie View boys’ basketball team pick up first win at Uniontown
- Jayhawk girls’ basketball rolls to championship at Uniontown
- Jayhawk Linn boys’ basketball has a busy and winning week
- Prairie View boys’ basketball falls to Anderson County and Osawatomie
- Pleasanton boys’ basketball routs Chetopa and SCC
- Pleasanton boys’ basketball team picks up wins against Miami and Central Heights
- Jayhawk basketball picks up wins against Oswego
- Prairie View boys’ wrestling competes at Louisburg
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