Linn County News
Published Aug. 10, 2022
Mary Jo Spencer, age 83, of Mound City, Kan., passed away on Aug. 6, 2022, at Louisburg Healthcare, Louisburg, Kan.
She was born Nov. 13, 1938, in Terrell, Texas, to James Downing and Claudie Flower. Mary Jo moved to Lubbock, Texas, at the age of 5 years old and attended Lubbock High School.
She married Floyd Carter on Nov. 5 1955, in Clovis, N.M., and blessed to this union were 3 children, Delica, Doris and James.
Mary Jo resided in Lubbock, Texas, while Floyd was in the service. She also lived in Loving, N.M., for 7 years before moving to Kansas City, Kan., in 1969 where she attended cosmetology school.
Mary Jo and Floyd moved the family to Parker, Kan., in 1970 to farm on 80 acres they obtained. Floyd died Feb. 4 1976 and after his passing Mary Jo worked at Mi’ladys Hair Care and Nail Salon in Osawatomie, Kan.
On April 9, 1980, Mary Jo married Horton Spencer and moved to Tunas, Mo., where they purchased a dairy farm and lived for nine and a half years before retiring to Ritchey, Mo.
After three years in retirement, they moved to Macks Creek, Mo., and bought and operated M&J General Store. They loved to support Macks Creek sports, especially the basketball team. She was beloved by all of the school age children. Upon retiring from the store, they moved back to Ritchey, Mo. in 2008. In 2014 they finally came back home to Mound City, Kan.
Mary Jo was a strong hard-working woman for most of her life. Whether it was right alongside her husbands on the farm or running the grocery store. She also loved working outside in her flower garden, but most of all she loved God and her family in which she left a legacy of love and devotion.
Mary Jo is survived by her son, James Carter, Paola, Kan., daughter, Doris Hazen, Stillwell, Kan., son-in-law, William Leroy, McLoud, Okla., and her nephew, Richard Workman, Minco, Okla.; eight grandchildren, Cammie Cascio and her spouse, Chris Cascio, Brian Willey, Jeremy Willey and his spouse Nikki Willey, Deedra Doherty and her spouse Josh Doherty, Stephanie Hanson and her spouse Manny Hanson, Jenea - Carter-Miller and her spouse Nate Miller, and Melinda McBean and her spouse Ken McBean.
She had sixteen great- grandchildren, Damion, Kalyn and her spouse Brandon, Brooke, Kayla, Carter, Haven, Christian, Nevaeh, Alexia, Maddysen, Alexander, McKenzy, Mason, Lincoln, Sophia and Xavier plus one great-great-granddaughter Emma Jo Hawkins.
She is preceded in death by her parents, James and Claudie Downing; her sister, Jimmy Ruth Workman, her first husband, Floyd John Carter; her second husband, Horton Shago Spencer; her daughter, Delica Jo Leroy, her grandson Jonathan William LeRoy; and a great-granddaughter, McKenzy Carter.
Celebration of Life will be held on Aug. 20, at 1 p.m. at Broadway Villa Community Room, 19855 Broadway St., Stilwell, Kan., with graveside services to follow.
OBITUARIES
Gary Ray Johnson ~ 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025

Linn County News Published June 4, 2025 Gary Ray Johnson, age 90 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on May 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, June 2, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home in Pleasanton, Kan. Visitation... [More]
Rees Lyle Shattuck ~ 08-31-1931 to 05-26-2025

Linn County News Published May 28, 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... [More]
Wayne Eldon Long ~ 07-03-1942 to 05-24-2025

Linn County News Published May 28, 2025 Wayne Eldon Long, age 82, of Parker, Kan., passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Wayne was born on July 3, 1942, in Garnett, Kan., the son of Homer Leon and Margaret Ethel (Collins) Long. He was one of three children and... [More]
More Obituaries
- 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
- Paul Dean Benham ~ 09-23-1944 to 04-26-2025
- Bonnie Faye Bishop ~ 03-25-1949 to 04-22-2025
- Lois A. Murray ~ 11-03-1931 to 04-20-2025
- Dr. Howard F. Wilson ~ 02-05-1938 to 04-20-2025
NEWS
SPECIAL: Commission to vote Monday on Parker Center lease

Linn County commissioners plan to vote at their weekly 9 a.m. meeting next Monday, June 2, on a 99-year lease agreement with Parker and their Senior Center building. At Tuesday's weekly Commission meeting, delayed by a day because of Monday's federal Memorial Day observance,... [More]
Despite Chamber loss, Blast in the Park fireworks will go off

Council actions include split vote on deed conveyance Hearing of the disbandment of its local Chamber of Commerce, La Cygne leaders have verbally concurred that the city’s part in the annual Blast in the Park festivities will go on. Following that Chamber notification... [More]
Linn Valley discusses city hall funding sources

The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, with Mayor Lew Donelson presiding and all council members present. Donelson informed the council of two potential opportunities for funding a new City Hall building. ... [More]
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SPORTS
Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State

The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to West Franklin on May 22 to compete in the 3A Regional. As a team the girls placed 10th with a score of 22.5 points while the boys were fifth with 56 points. This year the top three places in each event qualify for the State meet then... [More]
School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka

The Pleasanton track team traveled to Eureka on May 22 for a 2A Regional track meet. This year the top three places advance to the State meet along the top four times/distances not from the top three from all other Regionals. This year the Jays qualified eight athletes in seven... [More]
More Sports
- Lady Hawks win league as Hawks host TRL meet
- Pleasanton track sets school records at Pioneer League track meet
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- Pleasanton baseball splits against Jayhawk
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- Prairie View track has a great day as they host home invitational
- Jayhawk track places top three at Prairie View
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

