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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

Bonnie Faye Bishop ~ 03-25-1949 to 04-22-2025

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  Linn County News Published April 30, 2025   Bonnie Faye Bishop, age 76, Olathe, Kan., passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2025. She was born on March 25, 1949, in Kansas City, Mo., the daughter of William and Imogene Krueger Carter. After graduating from high... [More]

Lois A. Murray ~ 11-03-1931 to 04-20-2025

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Linn County News Published April 30, 2025   Lois A. Murray, age 93, formerly of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Overland Park, Kan. Lois was born the daughter of Arlie and Winifred Stanhope Poindexter on Nov. 3, 1931, near Drexel, Mo.... [More]

Dr. Howard F. Wilson ~ 02-05-1938 to 04-20-2025

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Linn County News Published April 23, 2025   Dr. Howard F. Wilson, age 87, of Garnett, Kan., passed away on Sunday, April 20, 2025, at St. Luke’s South Hospital in Overland Park, Kan. Howard Frank Wilson was born on Feb. 5, 1938, in Garden City, Mo. He was the... [More]

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PLEASANTON WEATHER

NEWS

SPECIAL: Legislative Update

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April 18, 2025 Kansas Land and Military Installation Protection Act, SB 9, prohibits foreign adversaries from purchasing property within 100 miles of a military installation and any foreign adversary ownership of non-residential real property purchased prior to July 1, 2025,... [More]

16 criminal cases from Tanglewood Lake incident dismissed

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Late Wednesday afternoon, April 16, orders were filed dismissing all 16 current cases on file in Linn County District Court concerning the Tanglewood Lake gate incident, 14 of which were filed against separate individuals that stemmed from the incident in May 2023. According... [More]

Tanglewood seeks clarification, aid from county

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During the April 21 meeting, Linn County Commissioner Jason Hightower reported to his fellow board members that he had met with the Tanglewood Lake board president and a resident the previous week and noted that they wanted a resolution or motion that clarified if the roads are... [More]

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SPORTS

Jayhawk track wins the Pleasanton Invitational

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The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to Pleasanton on April 15 for the Pleasanton Invitational. The Hawks did very well as both the boys’ and girls’ teams won the meet. The girls won with a score of 188 points while the boys won with a score of 127 points. There were... [More]

Pleasanton track places in top three at home invitational

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The Pleasanton track team hosted their home invitational on April 15. The Jays did well as both the boys’ and girls’ teams placed in the top three out of nine teams. The boys were second with 92 points while the girls were third with 107.5 points. “It was... [More]

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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

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