Linn County News
Published March 6, 2024
Michael Barry Hixon, Sr., 71, passed away with his wife by his side on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, at North Point in Paola, Kan. Michael had been battling pancreatic cancer for the past several months.
Michael “Bear” Hixon, son of Harry and Marion (Boylan) Hixon, was born on Aug. 31, 1952 in Aberdeen, S. D. He graduated from Roncalli High School in the Class of 1970. On Oct. 10, 1970, Michael married Gail Ann Shorley, his high school sweetheart, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Aberdeen. They settled down in Aberdeen where Michael worked for Larson Construction and Tiegen Construction. During those years, they had two sons, Jake and Nathan. In 1978, he began working for Dominion Construction on highline work. This job moved the family to Cheyenne, Wyo., until 1984.
After the many years of traveling the country following the highline work, Michael wanted to be home more to help raise his young family. This decision took the Hixons to Denver, Colo. Michael joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) in the beginning of his career but with the move to Denver, Michael became very active in Local 111 and worked for several companies (Sturgeon Electric, Par Electric, Henkles & McCoy, and Daniella Construction) from 1984 to 2008 as a Line Equipment Operator. His involvement in Local 111 gave him opportunities to serve as a Steward, Trainer for Operations Training Program, IBEW Executive Board Member and various other positions. In 2008, Michael began working at the IBEW Local 111 as a Senior Assistant Business Manager until he officially retired in August of 2014.
In Michael’s free time, he became very involved in youth baseball and helped reconstruct the baseball fields for Apache Youth Baseball of Littleton. He held many positions within that organization for several years. During this time, he was also a member of the Colorado American Amateur Baseball Congress, where he was the State Director of 9 and 10 year old age groups for over 15 years. Michael and his wife also owned a small business, Next Level Sports, for a couple of years. Michael loved watching children play baseball and spent many hours there whether he knew anyone on the team or not.
Michael also enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, riding his motorcycle and, in general, helping others. He was always making people laugh and was happy clowning around. It was no secret that Michael loved people.
Michael and Gail bought a beautiful motorhome and sold their Colorado home to explore the country together and enjoy retired life. In 2015, they relocated their residence to La Cygne, Kan., to be closer to their two sons. Winter months were spent in the warmer climates of Florida, Arizona and Texas embarking on many adventures and making lots of memories and new friends. They decided in June of 2022 that they were going to enjoy the summer months and more time at their home in Kansas.
If you knew Michael, you knew his pride and joy were his sons, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He never tired of telling anyone about them, no matter who it might be – friend or stranger. There wasn’t a free weekend that went by that you couldn’t find him attending one of many games (sometimes multiple sports in a day) of his grandchildren. There was nothing he loved more than watching them play and cheering them on at their baseball, softball, cheer and dance, basketball, volleyball and football games. No matter what it was, you could find him in the stands. If he couldn’t be there in person, you’d find him streaming their games on his iPad. He even got to watch his great-grandson start playing soccer.
Grateful for having shared Michael’s life is his wife, Gail; sons, Michael “Jake” Hixon, of Noble, Okla. and Nathan (Melissa) Hixon, of Olathe, Kan.; grandchildren, Jeffrey (Hannah) Hixon, Cash Hixon, and Hallee Hixon; great-grandsons Stetson Hixon and Beau Hixon; mother, Marion Hixon; siblings, Harry (Rene) Hixon, Candace Nesheim, Mary (Mike) Moyer, Camille (Brad) Van Voorst. He is survived by loving in-laws, nieces, nephews and a host of lifetime friends.
Michael was preceded in death by his father, Harry, brother David and daughter-in-law Jeanne.
There will be a “Celebrations of Life” honoring Michael held on April 5, 2024, at the Rivers Lodge and Hunt Club, 18103 East 2300 Lane, La Cygne, Kan., from 1-4 p.m.
To make a gift in honor of Michael, the family has chosen American Cancer Society for memorial donations at: https://donate.cancer.org/pancreatic.
OBITUARIES
John Clayton Bowman ~ 02-01-1944 to 08-17-2025

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

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

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
- Jean Driskell ~ 03-22-1943 to 07-18-2025
- Burton Clyde Brownback ~ 05-21-1953 to 07-13-2025
- 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
NEWS
Linn County News website gets new update

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

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

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
- Sheriff speaks out on employee benefits
- Jayhawk Blast set for Saturday, Sept. 6
- Pleasanton Council readies city for General Pleasonton Days
- Parker 2026 city budget could exceed revenue neutral
- La Cygne proceeds with facilities improvement
- Economic Development Director resigns
- Pleasanton moves forward with streets plan
- USD 344 adopts new cell phone policy
SPORTS
Frog gigging a new ‘old sport’

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

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

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
- From the Bleachers – 717
- Annual demo derby kicks off this year’s Linn County Fair and Rodeo
- From the Bleachers - 719
- Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship
- Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest
- PV Cheer has strong performances at UCA Summer Camp 2025
- Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament
- Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship
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
