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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

Norma Jeanne (Riley) Long ~ 08-21-1938 to 10-13-2025

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Linn County News Published October 22, 2025   Norma Jeanne (Riley) Long, age 87, of La Cygne, Kan., passed away Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, at Vintage Park in Osawatomie, Kan., surrounded by family. Norma was born on Aug. 21, 1938, in Liberal, Kan., to Frederick and... [More]

Geneva Darlene Jennings ~ 11-15-1939 to 10-12-2025

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Linn County News Published October 15, 2025 Geneva Darlene Jennings, age 85, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. She was born on Nov. 15, 1939, at Trading Post, Kan., the daughter of Charles and Daisy Rittinghouse Purdy. She graduated from Pleasanton High... [More]

Mary Margaret Wilson ~ 01-08-1930 to 10-13-2025

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Linn County News Published October 15, 2025 Mary Margaret Wilson of Mound City, Kan., age 95, was called home to be with the Lord Oct. 13, 2025. She resided at the Anew Healthcare facility in Pleasanton, Kan. She was born in La Cygne, Kan., to Edwin Josheph Riley and Eva... [More]

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NEWS

Souza resigns county clerk post

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Farmers State Bank under new ownership

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Linn Valley council updated on water, lagoon projects

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SPORTS

Schneider makes State for Hawks in girls’ golf

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Celeste Schneider made the 3-1A State golf tournament again this year for the Lady Hawks and will be looking to earn another State medal.  To see the full article, check out this week's edition of the Linn County News or check out the online version here.

Wade and Britz advance to State for the Buffalos

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The Prairie View girls’ golf team is doing well. The girls won the Pioneer League championship at Deer Trace on Oct. 7 and then followed that up by placing fourth at 3-1A Sub-State tournament at Crestwood in Pittsburg on Oct. 13.  The Lady Buffs won the league tournament... [More]

Blu-Jays convert takeaways into Homecoming win

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Pleasanton converted two second-quarter fumble recoveries and a third-quarter interception into passing touchdowns to break a three-game losing skid and claim a 41-6 Homecoming win over Southeast-Cherokee Friday at Blu-Jay Nation Stadium. The victory moves the ‘Jays’... [More]

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PLEASANTON WEATHER

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

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