Kevin Wayne Byron Harkness, age 56, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott. He was born Sept. 30, 1959, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of K. W. and Lorraine Phillips Harkness.
He graduated from FSHS with the class of 1977. Most of his working life involved woodworking, cabinet making, wallpaper and painting. Kevin was very inventive, always looking for a better way to do or build something. He loved riding motorcycles. He was a member of the Grace Baptist Tabernacle. Kevin had a tender heart and a great love for his family.
Survivors include his mother, Lorraine Wynn and husband Ronnie, Fort Scott; two sisters, Angela Russell and husband Rick, Conway, AR, and Shawna Harkness, Fort Scott; a brother, Jarett Stanton “Stan” Harkness and wife Deana, Tatum, Texas; two step-sons, Chris and Shawn Coffey; and six grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, K. W. Harkness.
Rev. Paul Rooks and Rev. A. F. Collins conducted funeral services Friday, Feb., 26, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial followed in the Prescott Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Grace Baptist Tabernacle and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
OBITUARIES
James (Jim) Joseph Dent ~ 01-25-1945 to 04-28-2026
Linn County News Published May 4, 2026 James (Jim) Joseph Dent, 81, of Walnut, passed away on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at Prairie Mission Retirement Village at St. Paul. He was born on Jan. 25, 1945, in Walnut to Mary Jo (Reeves) and Joseph Dent.... [More]
Rex Alan Brown ~ 08-10-1959 to 04-25-2026
Linn County News Published April 29,2026 Rex Alan Brown, age 66, of Prescott, Kan., passed away on April 25, 2026, leaving behind a life defined by hard work, craftsmanship, and deep love for his family. There was cremation. Memorial services will be held at 11... [More]
Edward Lee Umphenour ~ 10-05-1943 to 04-26-2026
Linn County News Published April 29, 2026 Edward Lee Umphenour, 82 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on April 26, 2026. Edward Lee was a man with a recognizable voice and has been referred to as the voice of Linn County. He was born to Edward and Katherine... [More]
More Obituaries
- Emily Donnell Brown Tinsley ~ 09-24-2931 to 04-24-2026
- Velma Fay (Cline) Peterson ~ 04-29-1944 to 04-15-2026
- Bruce Lynn Jeffers ~ 01-30-1957 to 04-12-2026
- Vernon Lee Ross ~ 12-01-1955 to 04-10-2026
- Howard Chaney Herrmann ~ 05-28-1944 to 04-01-2026
- Tevina Marie Eicher ~ 04-09-1979 to 03-23-2026
- Kellie Jo Harvey ~ 10-24-1968 to 03-26-2026
- Naomi “Skip” Childress ~ 08-23-1926 to 03-21-2026
NEWS
Commissioners appoint interim fire chief and emergency management coordinator
With Commissioner Jim Johnson and County Counselor Jacklyn Paletta attending via telephone, the commissioners briefly discussed whether to appoint an interim Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator or post for the position(s) due to the recent resignation of Randy Hegwald... [More]
Commissioners question department heads on April 13 storms
During the meeting on Monday, April 27, the commissioners met with several department heads to hear reports on departmental actions during and after the tornadic storms that hit portions of Linn County on April 13. The discussion included Linn County Sheriff James Akes, Linn... [More]
Pleasanton City Administrator announces retirement Aug. 3
Pleasanton’s Monday, April 20, council meeting lasted well into the night after discussing a dock grant, see separate story, and several other items. At the end of the meeting, Mayor Mathew Young read a letter announcing City Administrator Becky Hegwald’s retirement... [More]
More News
- Linn Valley discussed storm shelters
- Couple survives home destruction from EF1 tornado
- Questions asked following storms that hit county
- Commissioners hear several items from Planning and Zoning
- La Cygne council hears report on blighted structure
- Pleasanton Council proceeds with fishing dock grant
- Early Dismissals
- SPECIAL: Youthfront application not a Public Hearing
SPORTS
Jayhawk baseball goes 4-0 against Erie and Yates Center
The Jayhawk Linn baseball team went 4-0 this past week in double-headers against Erie and Yates Center. They traveled to Erie on April 20 and defeated the Red Devils 14-4 and 16-5. Then they hosted Yates Center and won both those games 15-4 and 13-1. The first game against... [More]
Pleasanton sweeps St. Paul, splits against Uniontown
The Pleasanton baseball team played St. Paul and Uniontown this past week. They traveled to St. Paul on April 20 and defeated the Indians in a double-header, 18-3 and 16-9. The team then hosted Uniontown in another double-header, they won the first game 5-2 but lost the second... [More]
Prairie View baseball 3-0 against Osage City and Butler
The Prairie View baseball team played Osage City and Butler this past week. They traveled to Osage City on April 21 and defeated them in a double-header, 7-6 and 18-6. Then they hosted a single game against Butler on April 23 and won that game 18-3. The first game against Osage... [More]
More Sports
- Jayhawk baseball falls to Southeast Cherokee
- Prairie View baseball falls to Burlington and splits against Lebo
- Pleasanton baseball falls to Central Heights and Marmaton Valley
- Prairie View softball goes 3-1 against Iola and Jayhawk
- Jayhawk softball sweeps St. Paul and falls to Prairie View
- Pleasanton track wins at Oswego
- Pleasanton baseball falls to Southeast Cherokee
- Jayhawk softball swept by Central Heights
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