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
Joe W. Mann ~ 09-02-1951 to 07-26-2025

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]
Jean Driskell ~ 03-22-1943 to 07-18-2025

Linn County News Published July 23, 2025 Jean Driskell, age 82, formerly of La Cygne, Kan., passed away Friday, July 18, 2025. Memorial service will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home, La Cygne Chapel. Visitation... [More]
Burton Clyde Brownback ~ 05-21-1953 to 07-13-2025

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Burton Clyde Brownback, age 72, Tri-Ko resident in Osawatomie, Kan., passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025. He was born on May 21, 1953, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Clyde and Shirley Drake Brownback. He graduated from Prairie View... [More]
More Obituaries
- Ruth Ann Antrim ~ 05-21-1951 to 07-07-2025
- Helen Maxine Wright ~ 05-28-1939 to 06-19-2025
- Kelly Kehl ~ 03-25-1938 to 06-28-2025
- Kandi Kay Cruse ~ 03-29-1958 to 06-27-2025
- Jessica Cae Pritchett ~ 08-30-1981 to 06-26-2025
- Jackie Junior “Jack” Hewitt ~ 07-17-1935 to 06-18-2025
- Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith ~ 11-19-1935 to 06-07-2025
- Ron Arbogast ~ 08-31-1946 to 06-05-2025
NEWS
Boil Water Advisory Issued for the City of La Cygne, Linn County

TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the City of LaCygne public water supply system located in Linn County. Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice: Boil water for one minute... [More]
Pleasanton PD makes drug arrest during domestic call

On July 24 officers with the Pleasanton Police Department responded to a call for an ongoing domestic issue at 605 E. 5th Street in Cabin 3 with the assistance of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office. During the ensuing investigation, it was found that the... [More]
Commissioners review departmental budgets

SEKMHC budget cut During the July 28 meeting, the Linn County Commissioners reviewed several departmental budgets. Discussions began with Linn County Sheriff James Akes. Sheriff Akes explained to commissioners that initially he had budgeted extra hours to cover... [More]
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- Wisdom appointed Pleasanton Fire Chief
- Pleasanton Council cuts to get to revenue neutral
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- La Cygne city to be below revenue neutral
- USD 362 files revenue-neutral exceedances
- Commissioners discuss airport future, request more information
SPORTS
Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship

Eight members of the Pleasanton Trapshooting Team traveled to Mason, Mich., last week to compete in the USA Clay Target League National Championship. Five members participated in the team event, and all eight competed individually. The team was among 264 qualified teams competing... [More]
Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest

The Blue Mound girls’ coach pitch team 1 places second at the TRL girls’ coach pitch tournament at Colony. The tournament took place from July 7 to July 9.
More Sports
- Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament
- Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship
- Gratton at Nationals
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship
- Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad
- Prairie View trapshooting competes at State
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

