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, Kan. He was the sixth of eight children born to George Richard Sumners and Lois Audrey (Clark) Sumners.
As a boy, Larry's family lived in Blue Mound, Kan., and Lamar, Colo., before Larry moved to Centerville in the late 1960s. He then graduated from Prairie View High School with the class of 1972.
On September 23, 1972, Larry was united in marriage to Martha Gale Croan at Centerville. Their union was blessed with five children (some of the time). Throughout his working years Larry worked as a truck driver, welder and as a mechanic. He was always a mechanic whether it was his job description or not. In 2015 Larry retired as a welder at Taylor Forge, Paola, Kan., after working there since 2000. He also served as a volunteer fireman for the Centerville Fire Department for many years.
Larry was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need, sometimes that translated to loaning parts from his family's cars to get someone else's car back on the road. In his free time he enjoyed catfishing, and visiting with friends and family or even total strangers. Once he was blessed with grandbabies he was all about everything to do with them; watching TV with them, giving four wheeler rides, fishing, swimming or taking a nap with them. He especially loved taking the grandkids to the fair and enjoying the rides with them.
Larry's breakfasts and practical jokes will be missed by his family. The grandchildren will miss Papo because they knew they could get almost anything they wanted from him. Larry loved music, except for rap, his love turned into dancing after a few beers.
He was preceded in death by his son, Evan on Sept. 14, 2002; grandson, Tyler Sumners; his parents; two brothers, George and Richard; and two sisters, Allene Welch and Vicky Thompson.
Larry is survived by his wife of 49 years, Martha Gale Sumners of the home; four children and their families, Audrey Schuster of Centerville, Brad Sumners and wife, Kimberly of Osawatomie, Kan., Christina Sumners and fiance, Brad Kerr of Parker, Kan., Denna Dawes and husband, Melvin of Inman, Kan.; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Joan Higgins of Hermitage, Mo., Patty Higgins and husband, Steve of Phoenix, Ariz., and Rosie Sandoval and husband, Mike of Hillsdale, Kan.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022, at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, Garnett, Kan. Burial will follow in the Centerville Cemetery. Larry's family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday evening at the funeral home in Garnett.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Larry Sumners memorial fund and left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.
OBITUARIES
John Clayton Bowman ~ 02-01-1944 to 08-17-2025

Linn County News Published August 20, 2025 John Clayton Bowman, age 81, Parker, Kan., passed away Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. He was born on Feb. 1, 1944, in Goodrich, Kan., the son of John Thomas “Tom” Bowman and Carrie Theodoshia Shafer Bowman. John attended... [More]
Arnold Joseph Lickteig ~ 05-16-1931 to 07-31-2025

Linn County News Published August 6, 2025 Arnold Joseph Lickteig, age 94, formerly of Greeley, Kan., passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Colonial Oaks Senior Living at Spring Hill in Spring Hill, Kan. Arnie was born on May 16, 1931, on a farm east of Greeley,... [More]
Joe W. Mann ~ 09-02-1951 to 07-26-2025

Linn County News Published July 30, 2025 Joe W. Mann, age 73 of La Cygne, Kan., passed away at his home on Saturday, July 26, 2025. There are no services scheduled at this time. Contributions are suggested to the Schneider Funeral Home and may be sent... [More]
More Obituaries
- 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
- Kelly Kehl ~ 03-25-1938 to 06-28-2025
- Kandi Kay Cruse ~ 03-29-1958 to 06-27-2025
- Jessica Cae Pritchett ~ 08-30-1981 to 06-26-2025
- Jackie Junior “Jack” Hewitt ~ 07-17-1935 to 06-18-2025
NEWS
Linn County News website gets new update

Recently you may have seen our notification on our website or our Facebook page that we were undergoing some changes on our website at www.linncountynews.net. We here at the News are happy to announce those changes are nearly complete. Changes to the website include an easier... [More]
Commissioners vote 1-1 on motion to not exceed revenue neutral

County now required to cut budget to meet the RNR rate BY $837,000 The Linn County commissioners, with Commissioner Jason Hightower absent, began the revenue neutral hearing on Monday, Aug. 25, by welcoming those in the audience and stating the purpose and objective... [More]
Linn Valley looks at option for fire truck purchase, new vehicles

The Linn Valley City Council held a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21, with Mayor Lew Donelson presiding and all council members present except for John Weers. City Attorney James Brun was also present. The meeting began with a presentation by city’s financial... [More]
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SPORTS
Frog gigging a new ‘old sport’

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Fishing Derby kicks off at Linn County Fair

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Linn County Farm Bureau hosts annual pedal pull

The Linn County Farm Bureau Association hosted the annual kids’ pedal pull on the evening of Aug. 8. Kids 4 to 12 can compete in the event for a chance to earn a spot at the State pedal pull at Hutchinson. Trophies and a place at the State fair was awarded to the... [More]
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- From the Bleachers – 717
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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.
• Obituaries submitted by funeral homes will be billed to the funeral home.
• Full obituaries submitted by individuals are required to be paid in advance.
• Cost: $40 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
