Linn County News
Published May 25, 2022
Merwin B. Rice, 81, of Osawatomie, Kan., passed away Friday, May 20, 2022, at Olathe Medical Center.
Family will meet with friends from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, May 26, 2022, at Living Proof Church, 32401 Harmony Road, Paola, Kan., 66071. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 27, 2022 at the church under the direction of Dengel & Son Mortuary, 305 N. Pearl St., Paola, Kan., 66071.
Merwin was born Friday, Sept. 13, 1940, in Gardner, Kan., the son of Arthur James and Mary (Davis) Rice. He attended school in Greeley, Kansas until moving to Macks Creek, Mo., his junior year of high school. He graduated from Macks Creek High School.
After high school, Merwin entered the United States Marine Corps. He entered the Marines on February 20, 1959 and was honorably discharged April 22, 1959 due to medical conditions that disqualified him from continuing his service.
Merwin was united in marriage to Ardyth Horttor on July 30, 1966, at Blue Mound, Kan. They made their home in Osawatomie and became the parents of three children; James, Aaron, and Angela.
He worked at Delco Remy in the maintenance department for 31 years.
Merwin had many hobbies. Most of all, he enjoyed the time spent with his family. Following his children’s and grandchildren’s sports activities was a highlight of his life. He enjoyed sports, baseball, coaching girls’ softball, and time spent in the outdoors. He had played slow pitch softball in his younger years. He was a referee for high school football for 45-plus years and also umpired baseball and softball during the summers.
He was a member of the Osage Valley Masonic Lodge #24 AF & AM in Osawatomie where he served as Master three times. His church affiliation was with Living Proof Church in Paola where he actively participated in numerous church activities.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one granddaughter Madison Rice; his siblings Ernie, Dick, Roberta, Ethelyn, Gene, James, Art, and Clara.
Survivors include his wife Ardyth of the home; two sons James Y. Rice (Andi) of Nampa, Idaho, and Aaron Rice (Angel) of Linn Valley, Kan.; his daughter Angela Weiss (Chuck) of Lebo, Kan.; sister Emma Rice of Raytown, Mo.; six grandchildren Austin (Ashleigh) Weiss, Misty Weiss, Dylan (Addie) Rice, Colton Rice, Nichole Rice, and Conrad Rice; one great-grandson Theodore Weiss; many other relatives and friends.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Living Proof Church.
OBITUARIES
Janice Ann Leasure Woodrum ~ 05-04-1948 to 03-05-2023

Linn County News Published March 15, 2023 Janice Ann Leasure Woodrum, Chehalis, Wash., formerly of La Cygne, Kan., passed March 5, 2023. Memorial service arrangements will be announced at a later date by the Schneider Funeral Home, La Cygne Chapel. ... [More]
Lewis Michael Wilson ~ 08-13-1952 to 03-05-2023

Linn County News Published March 15, 2023 Lewis Michael Wilson, age 70, Pleasanton, Kan., formerly of La Cygne, Kan., passed Sunday March 5, 2022. Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, March 16, 2023, at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, La Cygne Chapel.... [More]
Janet Dean Robinson Staton ~ 02-16-1939 to 03-08-2023

Linn County News Published March 15, 2023 Janet Dean Robinson Staton, age 84, Cleveland, Mo., passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Monday, March 13, 2023, at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton... [More]
More Obituaries
- Margaret Ellen McRae ~ 01-30-1932 to 03-06-2023
- C.H. Parker ~ 08-24-1942 to 03-06-2023
- Louise Shattuck ~ 11-28-1933 to 03-06-2023
- Larry Ray Thompson ~ 03-30-1949 to 02-28-2023
- Harper Darleane Marie McCowin ~ 11-26-2022 to 02-24-2023
- Maribelle L. “Mary” Wiles ~ 03-27-1943 to 02-21-2023
- James Dean Allen ~ 08-10-1951 to 02-26-2023
- Janet Jolene Reed ~ 04-09-1963 to 02-20-2023
NEWS
Commissioner’s discussion on wage options gets heated

During the tail-end discussion amongst commissioners at Monday’s meeting regarding wage increases, Commissioner Jason Hightower noted a plan presented by County Clerk David Lamb for a $1 per hour across the board raise rather than a percentage based raise, which some county... [More]
County discusses options for Pleasanton meal site

Commissioner Danny McCullough opened a discussion on the Pleasanton Senior Meals site during the March 13 meeting with a slideshow of photos he had taken of various issues in the current site. The photos showed a variety of issues that McCullough said he took from the viewpoint... [More]
Parker leaders consider truck route

Parker city leaders may consider a future action to establish a legal truck route within the city. Tim Griffin, past councilman, broached the topic at last Thursday’s monthly council meeting in asking for a follow-up to his truck-route question from the January council... [More]
More News
- Council approves land grant for riding academy
- USD 362 selects new leader
- Preliminary study on landfill completed
- SPECIAL: Republicans hold convention for appointment of county attorney
- Lawsuit resulting from sexual abuse by SRO is settled by county
- Commission endorses museum grant application
- Pleasanton discusses airport taxes, inter-local dispatching agreements
- COVID mRNA shots circulate at least 28 days after injection
SPORTS
Jayhawk Wrestling Club has five place at State

The Jayhawk Wrestling Club went to the kid’s State wrestling tournament this past weekend, March 10-12, in Topeka. The team did very well taking seven wrestlers and five placing in the competition. Maggie Earnest, 8U Girls 70, placed second and scored 20 team points.... [More]
Linn County Twisters takes 13 to State, 5 place

The Linn County Twisters wrestling team took 13 wrestlers to the kid’s State wrestling tournament in Topeka March 10-12. The Twisters had five of their 13 wrestlers place in the tournament. Taryn Mills, HS Girls 130, was eliminated after two matches in the tournament.... [More]
More Sports
- Pleasanton basketball falls in the first round of Sub-State
- White places sixth for Jayhawk wrestling at State
- Kline and Cox-Halliburton represent Prairie View at State
- Prairie View basketball splits against Anderson County
- Lady Hawks double up Altoona
- Pleasanton basketball defeats Bronaugh, falls to Cherokee
- SPECIAL: WE HAVE PHOTOS!
- Jayhawk wrestling wins TRL dual tournament

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