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
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]
More News
- Wisdom appointed Pleasanton Fire Chief
- Pleasanton Council cuts to get to revenue neutral
- Local residents warn of bad business practices
- Special: Resurfacing to begin on U.S. 69 in Linn County
- Pleasanton FD again at center of heated discussion
- 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

