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
Merle A. Beckman ~ 10-05-1935 to 08-03-2022

Linn County News Published Aug. 10, 2022 Merle A. Beckman, age 86, Mound City, Kan., passed away Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022. He was born in rural La Cygne, Kan., on Oct. 5, 1935, the son of Charles and Neeva (Neal) Beckman. He graduated from La Cygne Rural High School... [More]
Mary Jo Spencer ~ 11-13-1938 to 08-06-2022

Linn County News Published Aug. 10, 2022 Mary Jo Spencer, age 83, of Mound City, Kan., passed away on Aug. 6, 2022, at Louisburg Healthcare, Louisburg, Kan. She was born Nov. 13, 1938, in Terrell, Texas, to James Downing and Claudie Flower. Mary Jo moved to Lubbock, Texas,... [More]
Larry Sumners ~ 08-16-1953 to 08-01-2022

Linn County News Published Aug. 10, 2022 Larry Sumners, age 68, of Centerville, Kan., passed away on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, at the Overland Park Regional Medical Center in Overland Park, Kan. Laurence A. Sumners was born on Aug. 16, 1953, at McPherson,... [More]
More Obituaries
- Joseph Michael Dellinger 01-17-1950 to 08-20-2021
- Brett Michael Johnson 07-10-1995 to 12-12-2020
- Thomas Franklin “T.F.” Edmonds 01-14-1928 to 11-06-2020
- Vernon LeRoy “Roy” Massey 02-09-1922 to 10-07-2020
- Margaret Eileen Wier 02-15-1943 to 09-21-2020
- Elynor Ann Miller 08-28-1924 to 08-02-2020
- James J. Shannon Robinson 03-29-1980 to 08-01-2020
- Charles William “Bill” Atwood Jr. 05-31-1927 to 07-29-2020
NEWS
STARS technical academy ribbon cutting Friday

What was a dream a year ago has come to fruition with a ribbon cutting and open house scheduled for Friday, Aug. 12 at 10 a.m. The Southeastern Technical Academy for Rural Students (STARS) is now a reality located in the former Cox Motor Company building at Laurel and 17th Streets... [More]
Staff, advisors excited for opportunities STARS Academy offers students

With the ribbon cutting and open house of the new STARS Technical Academy in Pleasanton slated for Friday, Aug. 12, the staff and instructors at the school opened up recently about their roles and what the program means to them. Phil Mitchell, who will be teaching Construction... [More]
County real estate taxes still under state value

After sending the Linn County Commissioners an email explaining county real estate compliance with state values, the commissioners visited with Linn County Appraiser Kathy Bridges Monday. After initial conversation on the 2021 final ratio study concerning commercial and residential... [More]
More News
- Mayors, councils speak on infrastructure defunding proposal
- Mound City Council looks to add campsites to lake
- SPECIAL: Linn County Sheriff's Office seeking identification of subject
- La Cygne awards bid for settling pond project
- Commissioners approve roof bid for fire stations
- Christmas in Linn County
- New quarantine guidelines announced, software approved for Health Department
- Wreck leaves local attorney injured
SPORTS
Demo Derby starts off Linn County Fair and Rodeo week

The Linn County Fair and Rodeo started this past week with the traditional demolition derby. There were two nights of demo derby action as team derby, modified and figure eight races took place on Aug. 5 while the compact, semi-modified and bone stock took place on the evening... [More]
Total Effect Softball ready for action

Linn County has a new competitive softball team, Total Effect Softball, which will be based out of Mound City. Jayhawk-Linn head softball coach Kris Holt started the team and will be the head coach of Total Effect. Holt had multiple reasons on why he wanted to start a competitive... [More]
More Sports
- Hume splits home season openers
- Marais des Cygnes 4-H members compete at national judging contests
- 2021 All Linn County baseball team
- Jayhawk softball falls to Belle Plaine at State
- Briley Moore finds NFL home as undrafted free agent
- Pleasanton track competes at Jayhawk Invitational
- Pleasanton baseball starts season with a pair of walk-off thrillers against Oswego
- Prairie View, Pioneer League ponder Baldwin addition

OBITUARIES POLICY
• May be mailed, e-mailed, faxed or hand delivered.
• Must be received by 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning in order to appear in that week's edition.
• Full obituaries submitted by individuals are required to be paid in advance.
• Obituaries submitted by funeral homes will be billed to the funeral home.
• Cost: $30 for 300 words or less. Each additional word over 300, 10¢. Photograph $5.
Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com