Jesse Lee Earnest, age 62, was born Jan. 22, 1952 at Mercy Hospital, Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Jesse E. and Ola May (Callahan) Earnest. His father was in Korea at his birth, so Jesse did not know him until he was almost a year old. Jesse passed away Sept. 13, 2014, at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kan.
Jesse grew up on the family farm southeast of Pleasanton with his two brothers, Bill and Rod and two sisters Linda and Diana and many uncles, aunts and cousins who visited often. He loved animals and had many pets and birds, even a pet goose he named "Chester" who often returned to the farm after he joined a flock of wild geese.
Jesse attended grade school at Prescott School, Special Education at La Cygne and the Triko sheltered workshop. He spent many years at the Linn County Museum in Pleasanton, with his mother, other volunteers and his best friend Kenton. Jesse often helped visitors tour the museum. He read many books and loved history, especially the Civil War, he also participated in the reenactment of the Battle of Mine Creek.
Jesse was a kind and loving person who never knew a stranger and liked everyone he met. One of his hobbies was colleting cameras, many given to him by friends. He always had a camera with him and took photos of old barns, parades, tractors, old machinery, horses and the places he visited. At last count he had 60-70 albums of photos and articles he had compiled. He also loved going to Marty Read's auctions, garage sales, collecting toy trains, tractors, puzzles, and watching old western movies.
Jesse was preceded in death by his grandfather, Marion Callahan whom he dearly loved; father, Jesse Earnest; aunt, Faye Cowley, uncle, Lee Callahan, and aunt Mary Ann Callahan.
He is survived by his mother, Ola May; brothers, Bill and wife Retta, Rod and wife Robin; sisters Linda and Craig Wood, and Diana and Wayne Schasteen; many nieces and nephews; and many friends who will miss him.
A celebration of his life will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014, at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel. Burial will be in the Littell Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Tuesday at the Pleasanton Chapel. The family suggests contributions to Linn County Sharing Bucket. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.
Check out this week's edition of the Linn County News or check out the online edition here.
OBITUARIES
Jackie “Jack” Howard Shroyer ~ 01-24-1940 to 09-04-2025

Linn County News Published September 10, 2025 Jackie "Jack" Howard Shroyer, age 85 of Prescott, Kan., passed away on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. Jack was born the son of Eugene and Lillie Ruth (Blangy) Shroyer on Jan. 24, 1940, in Prescott, Kan. He... [More]
Wallace “Mack” Probasco ~ 07-05-1959 to 09-02-2025

Linn County News Published September 10, 2025 Wallace “Mack” Probasco, age 66 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away at his home on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. He was born the son of Francis Mack and Edna E. Wallace Probasco on July 5, 1959, in Fort Scott,... [More]
Martha F. Couch ~ 01-03-1929 to 07-18-2025

Linn County News Published September 10, 2025 It is with much sorrow that the family of Martha Frasier Couch, a woman of deep faith and compassion, shares the news that she passed away peacefully on July 18, 2025, just months after the passing of her husband, Keith,... [More]
More Obituaries
- George Teagarden ~ 01-30-1943 to 09-01-2025
- John Clayton Bowman ~ 02-01-1944 to 08-17-2025
- Arnold Joseph Lickteig ~ 05-16-1931 to 07-31-2025
- Joe W. Mann ~ 09-02-1951 to 07-26-2025
- Jean Driskell ~ 03-22-1943 to 07-18-2025
- Burton Clyde Brownback ~ 05-21-1953 to 07-13-2025
- Ruth Ann Antrim ~ 05-21-1951 to 07-07-2025
- Helen Maxine Wright ~ 05-28-1939 to 06-19-2025
NEWS
Property taxes and how they work

In Kansas, there is a definitive process for determining what the property taxes are on any given piece of property. Did you know that according to SmartAsset.com Linn County has the second lowest property tax average in the entire state? According to information available... [More]
Pleasanton Fire Department personnel hiring questioned

What started out as a department update from Pleasanton Fire Chief Jeff Wisdom, turned into a showdown between councilmembers and the mayor in who was hired as volunteer firefighters in Pleasanton. Wisdom informed the council he was beginning training for new firefighters September... [More]
Commission ‘bares’ down to pass public nudity ban

Linn County commissioners passed a resolution banning public nudity at its Sept. 2 weekly meeting, delayed a day for the governmental Labor Day holiday. Resolution No. 2025-16, enacted on a 2-0 vote with Alison Hamilton not present, forbids nudity on public property or outside... [More]
More News
- Paris Township voting location to move to Mound City
- USD 362 passes 2025-26 school budget
- Parker appoints police chief
- SPECIAL: Drainpipe replacement on K-31 in Linn County
- Linn County News website gets new update
- Commissioners vote 1-1 on motion to not exceed revenue neutral
- Linn Valley looks at option for fire truck purchase, new vehicles
- Sheriff speaks out on employee benefits
SPORTS
Alvarez leads Pleasanton cross country

The Pleasanton cross country team traveled to Garnett for their first meet of the year on Sept. 4 at the Annual Jerry Howarter Invitational. The Jays had runners in both the junior high and high school races. Dominic Alvarez led the Hawks as he earned a medal and placed... [More]
Jayhawk football starts season with shutout over Central Heights

The Jayhawk Linn football team traveled to Fort Scott on Sept. 5 to host the Central Heights Vikings for their first game of the season. This was supposed to be a home game for the Hawks but had to be played at Fort Scott because the field was not ready. The game began with... [More]
Spradling era kicks off with oohhs and 'Oz'
Jason Spradling's head coaching era at Prairie View debuted with plenty of oohhs and 'Oz' Friday night. The oohhs came from an offensive running attack that amassed 612 rushing yards, all but 99 in the first half, and saw Buffalo four-year starters Parker Schwarz gain 287 yards... [More]
More Sports
- Frog gigging a new ‘old sport’
- Fishing Derby kicks off at Linn County Fair
- Linn County Farm Bureau hosts annual pedal pull
- From the Bleachers – 717
- Annual demo derby kicks off this year’s Linn County Fair and Rodeo
- From the Bleachers - 719
- Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship
- Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com
