thumb

Linn County News

Published Aug. 10, 2022

Merle A. Beckman, age 86, Mound  City, Kan., passed away Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022. He was born in rural La Cygne, Kan., on Oct. 5, 1935, the son of Charles and Neeva (Neal) Beckman. He graduated from La Cygne Rural High School in the Class of 1954.

He began a career in the auto industry in 1957, in a sales position with Kipper Chevrolet in Pleasanton, Kan. In 1977, he began working at Pointer Motors in Garnett, Kan. He bought the dealership in 1983 and acquired Anderson Ford in 1988; the two becoming Beckman Motors. He was involved in the business until 2017.

Merle was united in marriage to Gloria Daly on March 2, 1961. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Mound City, the Scottish Rite and Mirza Temple in Pittsburg, Kan. Merle loved his family, even though he might not have verbalized it. He had a passion for pulling horses. He and longtime friend, Kendall Hutton, began pulling ponies in 1962. Before the duo’s career was finished, they pulled ponies and draft horses in eight different states and amassed thousands of miles together. Merle won the Kansas State Fair pulling match in Hutchinson for seven straight years, six of them with the famous team of Bonnie and Clyde. Total, he won eighty-three matches with that team.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Bernard, Elmer, Lisle, and Seth Beckman; two sisters, Gladys Lane and Fern Bazules; and one grandson, Brant Beckman.

Merle is survived by his wife, Gloria; four sons, Raymond Beckman (Lori), Richard Beckman (Lauri), Rande Beckman (Sharon), and Cleve Beckman (Brenda); a daughter, Chilesa Bruner (Van); a sister, Edna Debrick; a great-nephew, Ronnie Beckman; sister in law and running partner, Joyce and Kendall Hutton; sixteen grandchildren; twenty four great-grandchildren and one on the way.

A gathering to celebrate Merle’s life will be held 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel. Contributions are suggested to Children’s Mercy Hospital. Online condolences can be left at www.s

OBITUARIES

John Clayton Bowman ~ 02-01-1944 to 08-17-2025

thumb

Linn County News Published August 20, 2025   John Clayton Bowman, age 81, Parker, Kan., passed away Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. He was born on Feb. 1, 1944, in Goodrich, Kan., the son of John Thomas “Tom” Bowman and Carrie Theodoshia Shafer Bowman. John attended... [More]

Arnold Joseph Lickteig ~ 05-16-1931 to 07-31-2025

thumb

Linn County News Published August 6, 2025   Arnold Joseph Lickteig, age 94, formerly of Greeley, Kan., passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Colonial Oaks Senior Living at Spring Hill in Spring Hill, Kan. Arnie was born on May 16, 1931, on a farm east of Greeley,... [More]

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]

More Obituaries

View All Obituaries

NEWS

Linn County News website gets new update

thumb

Recently you may have seen our notification on our website or our Facebook page that we were undergoing some changes on our website at www.linncountynews.net. We here at the News are happy to announce those changes are nearly complete. Changes to the website include an easier... [More]

Commissioners vote 1-1 on motion to not exceed revenue neutral

thumb

County now required to cut budget to meet the RNR rate BY $837,000   The Linn County commissioners, with Commissioner Jason Hightower absent, began the revenue neutral hearing on Monday, Aug. 25, by welcoming those in the audience and stating the purpose and objective... [More]

Linn Valley looks at option for fire truck purchase, new vehicles

thumb

The Linn Valley City Council held a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21, with Mayor Lew Donelson presiding and all council members present except for John Weers. City Attorney James Brun was also present. The meeting began with a presentation by city’s financial... [More]

More News

SPORTS

Frog gigging a new ‘old sport’

thumb

It’s another one of those…So…stories. So, last weekend was an adventure. I’ve gotten involved with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Wild Foods Academy (WFA) that is a pilot program designed to educate many ‘left-0ut’ people’s... [More]

Fishing Derby kicks off at Linn County Fair

thumb

The annual Linn County Fair and Rodeo Fishing Derby was held on the morning of Aug. 9.  Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks fish biologist Don George has been heading the derby since 1987 and this year was no different.  The derby was divided into three age... [More]

Linn County Farm Bureau hosts annual pedal pull

thumb

The Linn County Farm Bureau Association hosted the annual kids’ pedal pull on the evening of Aug. 8. Kids 4 to 12 can compete in the event for a chance to earn a spot at the State pedal pull at Hutchinson.  Trophies and a place at the State fair was awarded to the... [More]

More Sports

PLEASANTON WEATHER

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