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
Mitzi Allen Coe ~ 08-14-1953 to 01-17-2026
Linn County News Published January 21, 2026 Mitzi Allen Coe, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister, passed away on Jan. 17, 2026, at the age of 72, with her family by her side. Mitzi was born on Aug. 14, 1953, in Paola, Kan. Family... [More]
Marsha Ann White ~ 07-24-1944 to 11-02-2025
Linn County News Published January 21, 2026 Marsha Ann White passed away on Nov. 2, 2025, at her residence in Belton, Mo. Marsha was born July 24, 1944, the daughter of the late Thomas Beauford and the late Lora Irene New of Mound City, Kan., a farm family in Fort... [More]
Gerald LeRoy “Jerry” Shaw 05-24-1942 to 12-10-2025
Linn County News Published January 21, 2026 Gerald LeRoy “Jerry” Shaw, age 83, formerly of Roeland Park, Kan., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. He was born on May 24, 1942, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Lester and Elsie Marlene Ross. He graduated... [More]
More Obituaries
- Mark William Madl ~ 05-05-1955 to 01-03-2026
- Gary Andrew McCarty ~ 06-01-1949 to 08-19-2025
- Randall E. Taylor, Sr. ~ 09-24-1959 to 01-17-2026
- Linda L. Janssen ~ 09-23-1947 to 12-31-2025
- Edwin Marvin Marshall ~ 11-08-1957 to 11-08-2025
- John Harold Masters ~ 02-18-1932 to 01-03-2026
- Paul R. Arnett ~ 10-06-1933 to 12-27-2025
- Dorothy Maxine New ~ 08-04-1934 to 12-29-2025
NEWS
Special: KDA and KSRE offer Local Food Producer Workshop series
MANHATTAN, Kansas — The Kansas Department of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension (KSRE) will offer seven regional Local Food Producer Workshops to assist farmers’ market vendors and managers, and for those wanting to sell food products directly... [More]
Special: AARP Kansas Now Accepting 2026 Community Challenge Grant Applications
The annual program aims to make communities in Kansas more livable for people of all ages. Topeka, KS—AARP Kansas invites local eligible nonprofit organizations and governments to apply for the 2026 AARP Community Challenge grant program, now... [More]
Special: Washburn University Music & Theatre Department to host Washburn Piano Day Feb. 14 for K-12 piano students; registration open through Feb. 8
TOPEKA, KAN. — The Washburn University Music & Theatre Department will host Washburn Piano Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 14 for K-12 piano students. “As students prepare for spring piano recitals and competitions, Washburn Piano Day gives... [More]
More News
- Special: enator Marshall introduces WALZ Act to prevent large-scale welfare fraud nationwide
- Whole Milk is Back: President Trump Signs Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act
- Special: Expiration of enhanced tax credits drives sharp premium increases on Kansas Health Insurance Marketplace
- Special: Religious Freedom Day, 2026 -- A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
- Leonard makes appearance in Bates County circuit court
- Take our survey
- USD 344 approves capital improvement projects
- La Cygne Council recognizes outgoing members
SPORTS
Pleasanton boys’ basketball team picks up wins against Miami and Central Heights
The Pleasanton boys’ basketball team continues winning basketball games as the team went 2-0 this past week to go 5-0 in district play and 7-1 overall. The Jays hosted Miami on Jan. 6 and defeated them in a r0ut 65-27 before traveling to Central Heights on Jan. 9 to win... [More]
Jayhawk basketball picks up wins against Oswego
The Jayhawk boys’ and girls’ basketball teams hosted Oswego on Jan. 9 in Three Rivers League action. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams won their games against the Indians as the girls won in a rout 49-15 and the boys won in a thriller 45-41. The... [More]
Prairie View boys’ wrestling competes at Louisburg
The Prairie View boys’ wrestling team traveled to Louisburg on Jan. 10 to compete in the Louisburg Invitational. The Buffalos placed 13th out of 16 teams with 60 team points. Breckyn Malin, 106, went 1-3 in the tournament. Malin won his second match by fall. Bentlee... [More]
More Sports
- Blu-Jay boys sweep and girls split against Altoona Midway and Uniontown
- Prairie View girls’ basketball falls to Santa Fe Trail and Iola
- Jayhawk girls’ basketball dominates Southeast Cherokee and Erie
- Prairie View girls’ basketball places second at Linn County Tournament
- Pleasanton boys’ basketball place second at Linn County Tournament with a solid performance
- Jayhawk girls’ basketball wins the Linn County Tournament
- Prairie View boys’ wrestling competes in the Fort Scott dual tournament
- Jayhawk Linn girls’ wrestling kicks off season with a solid performance at Caney Valley
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