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
Dale W. Cobbs ~ 05-05-1945 to 07-18-2024
![thumb](https://linncountynews.net//images/story/3024-DaleWCobbs.jpg)
Linn County News Published July 24 2024 Dale W. Cobbs, age 79, of Bush City, Kan., passed away on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at St. Luke’s South Hospital in Overland Park, Kan. Dale Wayne Cobbs was born on May 5, 1945, he was the second son born to Everett Wayne... [More]
James E. Wright ~ 01-07-1933 to 07-21-2024
![thumb](https://linncountynews.net//images/headline_thumb_default.jpg)
Linn County News Published July 24, 2024 James E. Wright, age 91, Mound City, Kan., passed away Sunday, July 21, 2024. Visitation will be held 3 to 5 p.m. Monday, July 29, 2024, at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel. Memorial contributions... [More]
Roland L. Weir 07-09-1946 to 07-07-2024
![thumb](https://linncountynews.net//images/story/2924-RolandWeir.jpg)
Linn County News Published July 17, 2024 Roland L. Weir, age 77, formerly of La Cygne, Kan., passed away in Yates Center, Kan., on July 7, 2024. He was born the son of Beulah Bledsoe on July 9, 1946, in La Cygne, Kan. Growing up and living in La Cygne all his life,... [More]
More Obituaries
- Edward Floyd “Ed” Maloney 10-14-1928 to 07-04-2024
- Betty Alice Smith Fyock 11-02-1931 to 07-04-2024
- Clarence William “Bill” Craven 06-26-1945 to 07-03-2024
- Rolleen Diann Stites 08-12-1950 to 07-04-2024
- Sa’Faree Nicole Woodberry ~ 02-14-2024 to 06-26-2024
- Billy Sherwin Hardesty ~ 04-07-1941 to 06-27-2024
- Darlene M. (Oetting) Fischer ~ 02-02-1931 to 06-27-2024
- Neal Edward Mathews ~ 10-14-1938 to 06-29-2024
NEWS
Commissioners discuss adding new position
![thumb](https://linncountynews.net//images/story/266_LinnCountylogo.jpg)
During the course of the July 22 meeting the commissioners and Public Works Administrator Shaun West discussed the possibility of adding a position of County Administrator. The discussion began with West noting that the Road and Bridge budget would be dependent on whether or... [More]
Work progresses on USD 362 daycare
Facility will carry the name of ‘Little Buffs’ Daycare Work to renovate Unified School District 362’s former bus barn into a preschool child daycare facility continues to progress toward a goal of being ready when classes begin next month. Financial... [More]
Political forum scheduled for Thursday
![thumb](https://linncountynews.net//images/headline_thumb_default.jpg)
The 2024 Primary Election is scheduled Tuesday, Aug. 6, and with that the Linn County News Political Primary Forum is scheduled for Thursday, July 25 at 6 p.m. The forum will feature local candidates, state and national candidates or their representatives. It will be held at... [More]
More News
- USD 346 accepts donations, bids Farm-to-Plate initiative
- Survey for guardrail improvements to begin at Mound City
- Commissioners set evening meeting on last week of the month
- USD 362 to notify revenue exceedance
- Parker to submit exceedance resolution
- Tempers flare during commissioners meeting
- Pleasanton approves land sale resolution
- Legalese complicates La Cygne items
SPORTS
Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team makes finals at Nationals
![thumb](https://linncountynews.net//images/story/Pleasantontrapteam.jpg)
The Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team traveled to Mason, Mich. from July 12-14 to compete in the USA High School Clay Target League (USAHSCTL) National Championship. The team performed well both as an individual and a team. The action started on July 12 as Pleasanton/Jayhawk... [More]
Blue Mound girls’ coach pitch team places second at TRL tournament
![thumb](https://linncountynews.net//images/story/2824-BMgirlscpgroup.jpg)
The Blue Mound girls’ coach pitch team and Pleasanton 2 girls’ coach pitch team competed in the Three Rivers League girls’ coach pitch tournament at Bronson on July 5-6. Pleasanton 1 did not participate in the tournament. Pleasanton 2 was the four seed in... [More]
More Sports
- Pleasanton T-Ball hosts Three Rivers League boys’ T-Ball tournament
- Local ball players make Sports In Kansas All State teams
- Prairie View students receive spring kudos
- 2024 All Linn County Softball team
- 2024 All Linn County Baseball team
- Pleasanton/Jayhawk Linn trapshooting team competes at State Tournament
- Prairie View trapshooting JV team places second at State
- Mound City hosts youth fishing derby
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
![Business Directory](/images/buscard2024.jpg)