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

Bruce Lynn Jeffers ~ 01-30-1957 to 04-12-2026

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Linn County News Published April 22, 2026   Bruce Lynn Jeffers, age 69, of rural Centerville, Kan., and recently from the Kansas Veteran’s Home in Winfield, Kan., passed away on April 12, 2026, from a prolonged traumatic brain injury incurred very likely... [More]

Vernon Lee Ross ~ 12-01-1955 to 04-10-2026

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Linn County News Published April 15, 2026   Vernon Lee Ross, age 70, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Friday, April 10, 2026. He was born on Dec. 1, 1955, in Fort Scott, Kan. A memorial service will be held 4 p.m. Friday, April 17, 2026, at the Schneider Funeral... [More]

Howard Chaney Herrmann ~ 05-28-1944 to 04-01-2026

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Linn County News Published April 8, 2026   Howard Chaney Herrmann passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.  He was born May 28, 1944, to Chester Keith Herrmann and Mila Frances (Chaney) Herrmann. He started first grade in 1950 in the Washington one room... [More]

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NEWS

We want your photos…

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Would you like to see one of your photos in the paper? We’re starting a new weekly photo submission opportunity! Out on the gravel will feature a local photo each week in our paper taken somewhere in Linn County; a photo of something that interested someone enough to... [More]

SPECIAL: Youthfront application not a Public Hearing

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NOTICE: Case #: US-KS107-LU-2025-7, Youthfront Camp DBA Kansas City Youth for Christ is not being heard under a Public Hearing. That has already occurred; the commissioners are discussing the application in their meeting Monday, April 20.

1st Annual Richard Henderson Memorial Car Show Saturday

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In memory of long time Blue Mound resident and one of the founders of the Blue Mound Blessing and Car Show, organizers will be holding the 1st Annual Richard Henderson Memorial Car Show this coming Saturday in Blue Mound. The event is set to begin at 10 a.m. and will run until... [More]

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SPORTS

Prairie View softball goes 3-1 against Iola and Jayhawk

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The Prairie View softball team was on the road this past week but it was an overall successful week. The Lady Buffs traveled to Iola on April 7 to play a double-header against Iola. The Buffalos went 1-1, losing the first game, 11-21, and winning the second, 18-7. The team... [More]

Jayhawk softball sweeps St. Paul and falls to Prairie View

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The Jayhawk softball team played St. Paul and Prairie View this past week. They traveled to St. Paul on April 6 and had no issues with the Lady Indians as they won both games, 20-4 and 28-11.  They then hosted Prairie View on April 9 and lost to the Lady Buffalos in both... [More]

Pleasanton track wins at Oswego

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Pleasanton track certainly won at the Oswego Invitational on April 7. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams placed first to become champions of the meet. The boys scored 80 points while the girls scored 78 ½ points. There were a total of 14 schools at the meet. Boys’... [More]

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• May be mailed, e-mailed, faxed or hand delivered.
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

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