thumb

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

Joe W. Mann ~ 09-02-1951 to 07-26-2025

thumb

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]

Jean Driskell ~ 03-22-1943 to 07-18-2025

thumb

Linn County News Published July 23, 2025   Jean Driskell, age 82, formerly of La Cygne, Kan., passed away Friday, July 18, 2025.   Memorial service will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home, La Cygne Chapel. Visitation... [More]

Burton Clyde Brownback ~ 05-21-1953 to 07-13-2025

thumb

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Burton Clyde Brownback, age 72, Tri-Ko resident in Osawatomie, Kan., passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025. He was born on May 21, 1953, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Clyde and Shirley Drake Brownback. He graduated from Prairie View... [More]

More Obituaries

View All Obituaries
PLEASANTON WEATHER

NEWS

Boil Water Advisory Issued for the City of La Cygne, Linn County

thumb

TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the City of LaCygne public water supply system located in Linn County. Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice: Boil water for one minute... [More]

Pleasanton PD makes drug arrest during domestic call

thumb

  On July 24 officers with the Pleasanton Police Department responded to a call for an ongoing domestic issue at 605 E. 5th Street in Cabin 3 with the assistance of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office. During the ensuing investigation, it was found that the... [More]

Commissioners review departmental budgets

thumb

SEKMHC budget cut   During the July 28 meeting, the Linn County Commissioners reviewed several departmental budgets. Discussions began with Linn County Sheriff James Akes. Sheriff Akes explained to commissioners that initially he had budgeted extra hours to cover... [More]

More News

SPORTS

Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship

thumb

Eight members of the Pleasanton Trapshooting Team traveled to Mason, Mich., last week to compete in the USA Clay Target League National Championship. Five members participated in the team event, and all eight competed individually. The team was among 264 qualified teams competing... [More]

Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest

thumb

The Blue Mound girls’ coach pitch team 1 places second at the TRL girls’ coach pitch tournament at Colony. The tournament took place from July 7 to July 9.

More Sports

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

View Legals for Free Business Directory