Linn County News
Published March 1, 2023
Maribelle L. “Mary” Wiles, 79, of Grand Island, Neb., passed away peacefully at CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island, Neb., on Feb. 21, 2023. Mass of Christian burial was Feb. 27, 2023, at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Bishop Emeritus Most Rev. William J. Dendinger presided with Rev. Jorge Canela co-celebrating with interment in the Grand Island City Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Grand Island Central Catholic. You are welcome to sign Mary’s guestbook at www.curranfueralchapel.com under her obituary. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.
Mary was born the daughter of Alfred Burke and Mary Catherine (McKee) Wiles on March 27, 1943, in Pittsburg, Kan. After growing up on a family farm in Pleasanton, Kan., she graduated from Pleasanton High School in 1961. She went on to study English and Education at Pittsburg State University and continued to study Philosophy, Theology, English, and Education at Marymount College in Salina, Kan., where she graduated. She was a beloved Religion Teacher at Grand Island Central Catholic from 1976-2014 after teaching at Cure’ of Arts Catholic School in Leawood, Kansas for 10 years. After retirement Mary proclaimed, “Being at GICC was like a completion of her prayer!”
Mary adored her students and loved teaching them about their faith. She loved to take adventures throughout the United States with her dear friend Sr. Mary Jo, which often included camping and hiking especially in Colorado. She loved to garden, and grow flowers. Her family, students, and friends were close to her heart. She lived happily in her home with the park pond behind her house while taking joy in watching the geese, rabbits, and squirrels going about their day. Her favorite spring outing was to drive to out-of-town fields to watch and listen to the Sandhill Cranes. Within her finest moments, she shook hands with Pope John Paul II at Estes Park, Colo. in 1993 and was welcomed into the home of the family of Martin Luther King when she drove to Atlanta, Ga. after hearing about his death.
Mary is survived by her brother, Alfred A. Wiles of Leavenworth, Kan.; and sister Kathleen M. Matthews of Harrisonville, Mo.; niece Michelle A. Wiles, nephew Alfred J. Wiles, three grandnieces, one grandnephew, and one great-grandnephew.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Teresa Wile
OBITUARIES
Richard Paul Henderson ~ 07-26-1950 to 06-01-2025
Linn County News Published June 11, 2025 Richard Paul Henderson, age 74, of Blue Mound, Kan., passed away Sunday, June 1, 2025. He was born on July 26, 1950, in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Charles and Lidea Morris Henderson. After graduating high school, Rich joined... [More]
Rees Lyle Shattuck 08-31-1931 to 05-26-2025

Rees Lyle Shattuck, age 93, Prescott, Kan., passed away Monday, May 26, 2025. He was born on Aug. 31, 1931, in Boicourt, Kan., the son of Rees Wilbur and Lulu Elizabeth Black Shattuck. He served his country in the United States Army. He was united in marriage to Louise McIntyre... [More]
Dixie Bradley Wilkerson 10-15-1939 to 05-30-2025

Dixie Kathleen Bradley Wilkerson, age 85, Independence, Missouri, formerly of Pleasanton, Kansas passed away Friday, May 30, 2025. Funeral service will be held 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at the Schneider Funeral Home, Pleasanton Chapel. Visitation... [More]
More Obituaries
- Gary Ray Johnson 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025
- Gary Ray Johnson ~ 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025
- Rees Lyle Shattuck ~ 08-31-1931 to 05-26-2025
- Wayne Eldon Long ~ 07-03-1942 to 05-24-2025
- John Ted Miles ~ 01-29-1960 to 05-01-2025
- Zachary Eldon White ~ 06-12-1992 to 04-29-2025
- Rebecca S. Landers 12-30-1964 to 04-18-2025
- Ira Johnathan “Sonny” Robinson ~ 04-10-1944 to 04-26-2025
NEWS
Commissioners form countywide consensus for automatic aid agreements

City and county fire departments meet Following questions on automatic aid agreements from cities across the county, the commissioners held a workshop Monday, June 2 to form a consensus on what should be done. Rural Fire Department Chief Randy Hegwald explained... [More]
SPECIAL: Election cycle will not require primary

Some races will see incumbents challenged An Aug. 5 primary will not be necessary for this year’s Linn County municipal and school board election cycle. As a result of Monday’s noon filing deadlline, the Nov. 4 general election features some... [More]
Blue Moon Youth Center to hold matinees this summer

The Blue Moon Youth Center has announced they will be holding weekly movie matinees for the summer that will include lunch for those attending. According to Pastor Ben Bielenberg, with the Blue Mound Bible Church, this was offered last summer on a random basis and went over... [More]
More News
- Pleasanton council divided on Fire Chief appointment
- SPECIAL: Commission to vote Monday on Parker Center lease
- Despite Chamber loss, Blast in the Park fireworks will go off
- Linn Valley discusses city hall funding sources
- USD 362 board rejects adding bus A/C
- SPECIAL: Blue Mound man seriously injured in accident
- Commissioners make official statement on Tanglewood roads
- La Cygne okays local police firing range
SPORTS
Trenton Broyles leads Hawks at State track

BY ADAM HOLT LINN COUNTY NEWS holtadam82@yahoo.com The Jayhawk track team traveled to Wichita on May 30-31 to compete in the 3A State track championships. The Hawks brought seven athletes to the event and the boys’ team ended up placing 20th overall with... [More]
Prairie View track earns six medals at State

BY ADAM HOLT LINN COUNTY NEWS holtadam82@yahoo.com The Prairie View track team traveled to Wichita on May 30-31 to compete in the 3A State track championships. The Buffalos only brought five athletes to the competition but did very well as the teams... [More]
More Sports
- Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State
- School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka
- Prairie View track qualifies multiple athletes for State
- Lady Hawks win league as Hawks host TRL meet
- Pleasanton track sets school records at Pioneer League track meet
- Prairie View track sets meet and league records at Wellsville
- Pleasanton baseball splits against Jayhawk
- Prairie View softball defeats Osawatomie and Girard
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

