John Louis McLaughlin
08-15-1929 to 07-18-2019
Linn County News
Published July 24, 2019
John Louis McLaughlin, 89, of Carnegie Village in Belton, Mo., passed away peacefully on July 18, 2019. Visitation was scheduled at 1 p.m., followed by Masonic and funeral services at 2 p.m., on Tuesday, July 23, at the Park Lawn Chapel, Hillcrest Road at 83rd Street, Kansas City, Mo. Burial was to follow at Freeman Cemetery, Freeman, Mo. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Ararat Shrine Cornerstone Fund, 5100 Ararat Drive, Kansas City, MO 64129.
John was born Aug. 15, 1929, in Platte City, Mo. He served in the Kansas National Guard from 1948 until receiving honorable discharge as sergeant first class on March 3, 1959. He was united in marriage to Elva Frances Trewett on May 7, 1950.
John worked for Montgomery Elevator as a mechanic for 38 years, retiring in 1991. He also served in the Kansas City Police Department Reserve for 30 years, retiring as a captain.
John’s Masonic career began in 1972 at Heroine Lodge No. 104, now Ivanhoe Lodge No. 446. He was a very active member of Ararat Shrine, where he was a member of the Motor Corps, Trykes and Transporters. He served as director of the Shrine for many years and was honored as Director Emeritus.
John was preceded in death by his parents, John Louis and Edith Mae (Hogbin) McLaughlin; brothers Dale and Lawrence McLaughlin; sister Patricia Hayes; half brothers Lyle and Wilbur Spriggs; and half sister Marjorie Umphenour.
Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Fran; children Kristie Shrauger (Russell) and John Robert McLaughlin; brother Norman McLaughlin; nine grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and many friends.
Arrangements: Park Lawn Funeral Home, 816-523-1234.
OBITUARIES
Rick “Rockin Rick” Nash ~ 11-13-1958 to 02-23-2026
Linn County News Published March 11, 2026 Rick "Rockin' Rick" Nash, 67, of Lawrence, Kan., passed away on Feb. 23, 2026, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Lawrence, Kan. Rick was born to parents Joe Victor Nash and Janice Maline Heitman on Nov. 13, 1958, in... [More]
Bernard Thomas “Tom” Brownback ~ 10-06-1938 to 02-27-2026
Linn County News Published March 4, 2026 Bernard Thomas "Tom" Brownback was born on a farm in Centerville, Kan., the fifth child born to William Earl and Kezia Ellen (Reynolds) Brownback on Oct. 6, 1938. He passed away on his farm in rural Blue Mound,... [More]
Bernard E. “Gene” Post ~ 05-02-1934 to 12-15-2025
Linn County News Published March 4, 2026 Bernard E. “Gene” Post, 91, of Mound City, Kan., passed away peacefully on Dec. 15, 2025. Born on May 2, 1934, in Mound City, Kan., he lived a life marked by generosity, quiet strength, and unwavering... [More]
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- Joy Dean Young ~ 01-13-1939 to 02-16-2026
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- Rex McCulley ~ 11-27-1946 to 02-14-2026
- Beverly Ann (Kisinger) Griffin ~ 10-07-1942 to 02-03-2026
- Katherine Paulette Curry ~ 02-27-1945 to 01-31-2026
- Terry Dean Crump ~ 02-03-1942 to 01-27-2026
- Viola May “Budd” Ralston ~ 02-04-1933 to 01-21-2026
NEWS
SPECIAL NOTICE
Due to a lack of quorum at Tuesday's special meeting for USD 344 Board of Education to select the Ray Scholarship recipient the meeting has been rescheduled for this upcoming Wednesday evening, March 18, 2026, at 6 p.m.
Fear & urgency at heart of Centerville couple scam
Ungeheuer – “it can happen to anyone” Dillard and Charleta Ungeheuer sat at their kitchen table and contemplated many of the reasons the couple became victim’s costing them $20,000 and much stress and heartache. Dillard, who’d just come... [More]
Commissioners discuss 4H building with fair board
During Monday’s meeting, the Linn County Commissioners met with several members of the Linn County Fair Board, County Clerk Chasity Ware and County Counselor Jacklyn Paletta in executive session for the purpose of attorney-client privilege. Following the executive session,... [More]
More News
- La Cygne discusses one-cent sales tax
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- USD 346 potential $10 million bond issue discussed
- SPECIAL - PUBLIC NOTICE LINN COUNTY, KANSAS PLANNING & ZONING BOARD
- Pleasanton contracts with engineer for water plant roof
- La Cygne Council approves property purchase
SPORTS
Jayhawk girls’ basketball finishes the season as Sub-State runner-up
The Jayhawk Linn girls’ basketball team hosted West Franklin on March 5 and traveled to West Franklin on March 7 for Sub-State basketball competition. The girls first hosted West Franklin in the West Franklin 3A Sub-State 1 to determine who went to the championship.... [More]
Pleasanton boys’ basketball finishes season as Sub-State runner up
The Pleasanton boys’ basketball team traveled to Madison on March 6 to compete in the championship game in the Madison 1A Div. 1 Sub-State 1. The boys entered the game as the one seed and a 22-1 record. The Jays got to the championship with a bye and a 47-28 semifinal... [More]
Pleasanton boys advance in Sub-State tournament, girls end season
The Pleasanton boys’ and girls’ basketball teams began their Sub-State tournament action this past week. Pleasanton is in the Madison 1A Div. 1 Sub-State and the boys entered the tournament as the 1 seed with a 20-1 record while the girls were the 11 seed with an... [More]
More Sports
- Jayhawk wrestling has four wrestlers place in the top four at State
- Prairie View boys’ wrestling sends two to State
- Jayhawk boys’ wrestling sends five to State and sets milestones
- Prairie View basketball ends regular season with wins in the final week
- Pleasanton boys’ basketball finishes regular season as Three Rivers champions
- Jayhawk girls’ wrestling taking six wrestlers to State
- Pleasanton basketball faces off against Southeast and Erie
- Prairie View girls’ wrestling qualify five for State
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