Linn County News
Published December 31, 2025
Mark Ashley Maris, age 62, La Cygne, Kan., passed away Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. He was born on Feb. 22, 1963, in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Ashley and Catherine Maxine Mendenhall Maris. He graduated from Prairie View High School, Fort Scott Community College, and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Feed Science from Kansas State University.
Mark was active in FFA and 4-H while in high school. He was a member of the New Lancaster United Methodist Church. He was an avid K-State and Chiefs fan. He enjoyed anything sports related, National Finals Rodeo, shooting pool, bowling, fishing, playing golf, and riding roller coasters at amusement parks.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Sheryl Rae Maris; and a grandson, Malachi. Mark is survived by his wife, Brandy Martin; a daughter, Taylor Bell and husband Caleb; a son, Dacota Maris and wife Brea; stepdaughters Alex Martin and Autumn Martin; a niece, Kirsty Hartley and husband Dalton; a nephew, Michael Maris and partner Tiffany Morris; and seven grandchildren, Bexleigh Mae, Grayslyn, Ridge, Porter, Elijah, and Ralfi.
Graveside funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, at Oak Lawn Cemetery, La Cygne, Kan. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Schneider Funeral Home, La Cygne Chapel. Memorial contributions are suggested to Prairie View FFA. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com. Please wear purple to the visitation and or funeral to honor Mark's passion for Kansas State University.
OBITUARIES
Charles Leon Hays ~ 08-27-1943 to 08-16-2026
Linn County News Published August 26, 2026 Charles Leon Hays, age 82 of La Cygne, Kan., passed away on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 29, at the La Cygne Christian Church. Memorial contributions... [More]
Willa Lou Querry ~ 02-25-1931 to 07-25-2026
Linn County News Published August 19, 2026 Willa Lou Querry passed away peacefully on July 25, 2026, at the age of 95. Willa was born on Feb. 25, 1931, in Parker, Kan., to Luther and Elsie (Cornett) Brumley. She grew up in the Parker community and remained deeply... [More]
Ronald Raymond Howard ~ 04-07-1946 to 07-20-2026
Linn County News Published August 19, 2026 Ronald Raymond Howard, age 80 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on July 20, 2026, at the Olathe Medical Center. He was born the son of Melvin and Ruth Fischer Howard on April 7, 1946, in Hamburg, Iowa. Ron was an... [More]
More Obituaries
- John Randy Joseph Alan Parker ~ 03-03-1985 to 07-31-2026
- Lennie D. Hill Crooks ~ 02-20-1933 to 08-04-2026
- Dixie Beatrice Collins ~ 10-16-1967 to 07-28-2026
- Helen Marie Clark ~ 03-22-1932 To 07-31-2026
- Norma Lee Pease ~ 07-28-1933 To 07-29-2026
- Linda Jo Hisel ~ 06-28-1960 to 07-23-2026
- Thomas Francis Moylan ~ 08-31-1941 to 07-24-2026
- William Lee “Bill” Anderson ~ 05-08-1942 to 07-21-2026
NEWS
Conditions at Hillsdale Learning Center a concern
Parents of local special needs children raise red flag In April a tornado tore through the Hillsdale area leaving behind a damage path and debris that included the playground and equipment at the Hillsdale Learning Center (HLC), the building which houses the East Central... [More]
Pleasanton Council approves 10-year bond
Pumps and roof slated for replacement; $8.87/month water bill increase A crowded Community Building greeted the Pleasanton City Council Monday night as they learned the pump at East Lake “doesn’t look good.” According to contractor Richard Smith,... [More]
Mound City council discusses properties
During the Aug. 4 meeting, the Mound City council discussed the possible purchases of two separate properties. Council first discussed the property at 731 Walnut Street owned by Missy Wurtz with the discussion centering on delinquent property taxes owed on the property in the... [More]
More News
- Commissioners review budgets
- Pleasanton issues declaration of emergency
- USD 344 works on secondary water source
- Mayor discusses Linn Valley economic development
- Linn County P and Z Director awarded sponsorship for conference
- Declaration of Water Emergency
- Pleasanton Council opts to begin paving streets
- Top PRCA official to attend Linn County Rodeo
SPORTS
More than Friday Night Lights
From the Bleachers-775 Many football fans remember James “Boobie” Miles as the electrifying running back from Odessa Permian High School whose story became the heart of Friday Night Lights. As one of the nation’s most highly recruited players in 1988, he appeared... [More]
Annual kids’ fishing derby held at the Linn County Fair and Rodeo
The annual kids’ fishing derby hosted by Don George and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) took place at the Linn County fairgrounds on the morning of Aug. 8. The fishing derby began at around 8:30 a.m. and ended around 10 a.m. After the derby the kids competed... [More]
Multiple kids qualify for the State Fair at annual pedal pull
The annual pedal pull hosted by Linn County Farm Bureau Association was held at the Linn County fairgrounds on the evening of Aug. 7. Just like in years past the competition was divided by age 4 to 12 with the top three placers in each age group receiving a trophy/medal and... [More]
More Sports
- Annual Demo Derby kicks off the Linn County Fair and Rodeo
- Linn County well represented in 2026 National High School Finals Rodeo
- A day of fun and records
- Commanders win tournament at Arma
- Pleasanton trapshooting competes at Nationals
- Annual Pleasanton Catfish Tournament held at Pleasanton East Lake
- Blue Mound Burnout contest held
- Midwest Senior Bull Riding Association comes to Pleasanton
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