Linn County News
Published Nov. 4, 2020
Orville J. Cole, age 92, passed away on Nov. 7, 2020, at Olathe Medical Center.
He was born in Garnett, Kan., on March 4, 1928, the son of Ray D. Cole and Edna Mae (Reinfeld) Cole. He spent his entire life in Anderson County, Kan., with the exception of the years he attended college in Pittsburg and Topeka, Kan., and two years in the Army in Germany.
Orville and LaVerne K. Klingenberg were married on Dec. 26, 1953, in Concordia, Mo. To this union were born one daughter, Kathryn E. Cole and two sons, John W. Cole and Thomas M. Cole.
Orville graduated from Washburn University School of Law in Topeka in 1951. He was admitted to practice law in state and federal courts in Kansas and in the United States Supreme Court. After his army service, he returned to Garnett in 1953, where he practiced law until he retired in 1990.
He was a lifelong member of the First Christian Church in Garnett and served as a deacon and chairman of the board. He served as Anderson County Attorney from 1958 to 1962. Over the years, he also served as a scoutmaster, chairman of the Fourth Judicial District Bar Association, and chairman of the Anderson County Republican Central Committee. He was a member of the VFW, Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite and Shrine.
Orville was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers Roy L. Cole and Claron G. Cole; and his grand-daughter Brittany Wales.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, LaVerne K. Cole of the home; his daughter Kathryn E. (Cole) Harvey and her husband, James, of Richmond Hill, Geo.; his son John W. Cole and his wife, Stephanie, of Gardner, Kan.; his son Thomas M. Cole of Lawrence, Kan.; and three grandchildren, Ashley Grosshuesch and husband, Ty, of Spring Hill, Kan.; Lacey Enriquez and husband, Rhett, of Overland Park, Kan.; and Nicholas Wales of Phoenix, Ariz.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a “Celebration of Life” service will be held at 11 a.m., on Thursday, November 12, 2020, at the Garnett Cemetery. Kindly be mindful of COVID-19 protocols if attending the graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church of Garnett, Kan. Condolences may be left for the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.
OBITUARIES
Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith ~ 11-19-1935 to 06-07-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith passed away Saturday June 7, 2025, at the Stoneybrook Retirement Community in Manhattan. She was born on Nov. 19, 1935, in Topeka, Kan., to Neil and Gladys (Goldsmith)... [More]
Ron Arbogast ~ 08-31-1946 to 06-05-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Ron Arbogast, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, coach, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on June 5, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 78. Born Aug. 31, 1946, in Fort Scott, Kan.,... [More]
Richard “Dick” Smith ~ 04-18-1942 to 06-22-2025

Linn County News Published June 25, 2025 Richard "Dick" Smith, age 83, formerly of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away in Olathe, Kan., on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Graveside Service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 27, 2025, at the Pleasanton Cemetery. Contributions... [More]
More Obituaries
- Charles Edwin Sutterby ~ 06-20-1951 to 06-19-2025
- Windfred Allen DeMott ~ 09-15-1940 to 06-07-2025
- Maxine Breuel ~ 11-20-1926 to 06-07-2025
- Richard Paul Henderson ~ 07-26-1950 to 06-01-2025
- Rees Lyle Shattuck 08-31-1931 to 05-26-2025
- Dixie Bradley Wilkerson 10-15-1939 to 05-30-2025
- Gary Ray Johnson 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025
- Gary Ray Johnson ~ 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025
NEWS
NOTICE:

Due to a scheduling conflict, the commissioners will not be meeting today, June 25th, for a second budget workshop. The meeting has been rescheduled for July 2nd.
Tanglewood Lakes files suit against Board of County Commissioners

Requests declaratory judgement that roads are private The Tanglewood Lakes Owners Association, Inc. (TLOA), filed a lawsuit in Linn County District Court on June 6, 2025, against the Linn County Board of County Commissioners requesting a declaratory judgement from... [More]
Case filed alleging exploitation of minors, breach of privacy

On June 20, following an extensive investigation by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the Linn County Attorney’s Office filed a case in district court charging Erik Hellner, a Sugar Valley Lakes resident, with six separate felonies. The case originally stems from... [More]
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SPORTS
Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship

The Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team traveled to Wichita to compete in the Kansas Trapshooting State tournament. The tournament features more than 110 high schools and over 1,500 student athletes. Pleasanton/Jayhawk compete in the 2A competition which happened on June... [More]
Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad

Prairie View’s head boys’ wrestling Coach Joey Ewalt does more for the sport than just coaching the Buffalos, he has made an impact on the sport as a wrestler, coach and official. Ewalt began his wrestling career at the very young age of four. His father, Mike Ewalt,... [More]
More Sports
- Pleasanton and Jayhawk baseball on the 2025 All TRL team
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- Trenton Broyles leads Hawks at State track
- Prairie View track earns six medals at State
- Pleasanton’s Gratton wins two golds, sets meet record
- Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State
- School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka
- Prairie View track qualifies multiple athletes for State
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

