Mary Ellen Gray Cheek, 87, of Morrilton, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, October 6, 2021. She was born in Linn County in 1934. She is the daughter of John Wolfinger and Jessie Ellen Cross Wolfinger. She graduated from Linnville Schools in Pleasanton, Kan. and graduated from college at Kansas State University. She married Norman Gray and they relocated to Georgia while Norman served in the military. After Norman completed his military service and his veterinarian, they chose Morrilton, Ark. to call home and open the veterinarian clinic. She was an active member of the community and devoted member of the First United Methodist Church of Morrilton.
While being a mother and grandmother was her number one joy, she was a spirited lady with an entrepreneurial spirit. She managed her family farm and homestead throughout her life and also opened "The Fabric and Drapery Shop" in downtown Morrilton. Her grandchildren have fond memories of playing hide and seek between the drapery displays as their grandmother worked behind the counter. Mary Ellen was also known for her delicious cooking. She prided herself on being able to nurture her family and friends through her pies and cakes. There was no limit to the love and support that she gave her children and grandchildren, as they were her greatest blessing in her life.
Mary Ellen is preceded by her parents John & Jessie Wolfinger; her first husband Norman Gray; son Franklin John Gray, and daughter in law Cindy Gray. She is survived by grandchildren; Franklin John Gray, Jr. and wife Mandy Gray of Little Rock, Ark.; Joseph Robert Gray and wife Stephanie Gray of Fayetteville, Ark.; daughter Jessie Ellen Gray of Pensacola, Fla. Also survived by grandchildren Georgia Katherine Gray of Little Rock, Ark. and Joseph Robert Gray Jr. of Fayetteville, Ark.
Mary Ellen is also preceded by her second husband, William “Bill” Cheek of Morrilton; survived by children William “Bill” Cleo Cheek, III of Maumelle, Ark., George Richard Cheek of Fort Worth, Texas, James Earl Cheek and wife Michelle of Morrilton, Ark. and Laura Cheek Larson and husband David of Maumelle, Ark.
A small, private gathering will be held in honor of Mary Ellen for immediate family members only. Friends wishing to honor her are invited to make a donation in her name to the First United Methodist Church of Morrilton, Ark. Arrangements are made by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton, Ark. Online Guestbook: www.harrisfuneralhomes.net
OBITUARIES
Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith ~ 11-19-1935 to 06-07-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith passed away Saturday June 7, 2025, at the Stoneybrook Retirement Community in Manhattan. She was born on Nov. 19, 1935, in Topeka, Kan., to Neil and Gladys (Goldsmith)... [More]
Ron Arbogast ~ 08-31-1946 to 06-05-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Ron Arbogast, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, coach, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on June 5, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 78. Born Aug. 31, 1946, in Fort Scott, Kan.,... [More]
Richard “Dick” Smith ~ 04-18-1942 to 06-22-2025

Linn County News Published June 25, 2025 Richard "Dick" Smith, age 83, formerly of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away in Olathe, Kan., on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Graveside Service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 27, 2025, at the Pleasanton Cemetery. Contributions... [More]
More Obituaries
- Charles Edwin Sutterby ~ 06-20-1951 to 06-19-2025
- Windfred Allen DeMott ~ 09-15-1940 to 06-07-2025
- Maxine Breuel ~ 11-20-1926 to 06-07-2025
- Richard Paul Henderson ~ 07-26-1950 to 06-01-2025
- Rees Lyle Shattuck 08-31-1931 to 05-26-2025
- Dixie Bradley Wilkerson 10-15-1939 to 05-30-2025
- Gary Ray Johnson 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025
- Gary Ray Johnson ~ 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025
NEWS
NOTICE:

Due to a scheduling conflict, the commissioners will not be meeting today, June 25th, for a second budget workshop. The meeting has been rescheduled for July 2nd.
Tanglewood Lakes files suit against Board of County Commissioners

Requests declaratory judgement that roads are private The Tanglewood Lakes Owners Association, Inc. (TLOA), filed a lawsuit in Linn County District Court on June 6, 2025, against the Linn County Board of County Commissioners requesting a declaratory judgement from... [More]
Case filed alleging exploitation of minors, breach of privacy

On June 20, following an extensive investigation by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the Linn County Attorney’s Office filed a case in district court charging Erik Hellner, a Sugar Valley Lakes resident, with six separate felonies. The case originally stems from... [More]
More News
- La Cygne executes pool bond defeasance
- CANCELED: Statewide Purple Alert issued for missing Yates Center woman
- Parker mayor seeks affidavits to file charges
- USD 346 board learns of overpayments
- NOTICE
- Commissioners discuss estimate on overlay project
- Pleasanton council meeting heated over fire personnel interviews
- La Cygne gas customers may see rate decrease
SPORTS
Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship

The Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team traveled to Wichita to compete in the Kansas Trapshooting State tournament. The tournament features more than 110 high schools and over 1,500 student athletes. Pleasanton/Jayhawk compete in the 2A competition which happened on June... [More]
Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad

Prairie View’s head boys’ wrestling Coach Joey Ewalt does more for the sport than just coaching the Buffalos, he has made an impact on the sport as a wrestler, coach and official. Ewalt began his wrestling career at the very young age of four. His father, Mike Ewalt,... [More]
More Sports
- Pleasanton and Jayhawk baseball on the 2025 All TRL team
- Jayhawk Linn softball has three All TRL unanimous selections
- Trenton Broyles leads Hawks at State track
- Prairie View track earns six medals at State
- Pleasanton’s Gratton wins two golds, sets meet record
- 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
OBITUARIES POLICY
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

