Linn County News
Published March 10, 2021
Phillip D. Staton, 70, formerly of Pleasanton, peacefully passed away in the early morning of March 2, 2021, at his home in Linn Valley. He was born at home on April 16, 1950, at 507 W. 6th Street to Delbert C. and Melanie E. (Vorreiter) Staton.
He was a graduate of Pleasanton High School’s class of 1969, and a graduate of Pittsburg State University with degrees in Business and Marketing. He and his forever girlfriend, Ronda Rees, were married on Dec. 31, 1971.
Phil, as he was known to friends and family, and Ronda owned the Pleasanton Furniture Store in the mid-1970s, which was located where Linn County newspaper is currently. Additionally, he owned and operated the Linn County Ambulance Service in the mid-to-late 1970s. Phil was a life-long “house flipper” before the process became popular on television. At the couple’s 50th class reunion, Phil said they had moved 19 times, remodeling houses, and that Ronda still put up with him.
Phil always enjoyed visiting and talking with people and met many while selling cars at Cox Motor Company where he had worked for the past 20 years until his health failed. Phil was one of many Pleasanton citizens who helped with the Main Street fire in 1976, carrying items of value out of stores and businesses on the half block of Main Street between 9th and 10th streets.
Phillip is survived by Ronda, his wife of nearly 50 years; three children, Wendy Staton of Gardner, Kan., Sean Staton of Fort Scott, Kan., and David Edwards of Milo, Mo.; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Ronald. Cremation has already taken place with a private burial at the Pleasanton Cemetery.
Always ready with an infectious laugh and (a little sarcasm), Phil did not want his friends and family to gather in sadness for him so a celebration of life will be held in the near future. Friends and family will be invited to come with memories, stories, pictures and pie - yes, bring pie. Chocolate pie was Phil’s favorite, but also Key Lime, blackberry, pecan, pumpkin, Dutch apple, etc., etc., etc.
OBITUARIES
Jeffery Lynn Brown ~ 09-10-1958 to 10-22-2025
Linn County News Published November 5, 2025 Jeffery Lynn Brown, age 67, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, at the Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg, Kan. He was born Sept. 10, 1958, in Fulton, Kan., the son of Derald Dean Brown... [More]
Darlene Ann Sumners ~ 05-19-1935 to 10-21-2025
Linn County News Published Oct. 29, 2025 Darlene Ann Sumners, age 90, of Centerville, Kan., passed away Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. No services are scheduled. Memorial contributions are suggested to Centerville Community Church or Shriners Children's Hospital. ... [More]
Lillie Mae Jackson ~ 04-23-1928 to 10-22-2025
Linn County News Published November 5, 2025 Lillie Mae Jackson, age 97 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. She was born the daughter of Benjamin Franklin and Viola Mae Brant Wurtz on April 23, 1928 in Mound City, Kan. Lillie married... [More]
More Obituaries
- Monica Joy (Goebel) Mullins ~ 12-30-1965 to 10-20-2025
- Kelly Renee Moore ~ 08-02-1963 to 10-13-2025
- Norma Jeanne (Riley) Long ~ 08-21-1938 to 10-13-2025
- Geneva Darlene Jennings ~ 11-15-1939 to 10-12-2025
- Mary Margaret Wilson ~ 01-08-1930 to 10-13-2025
- Letha Spillman ~ 06-19-1929 to 10-02-2025
- Mary Alice Fagg ~ 07-30-1933 to 09-25-2025
- John T. Miles ~ 01-29-1960 to 05-01-2025
NEWS
Pleasanton Fire Chief speaks on ISO notification
Pleasanton Fire Chief Jeff Wisdom reported to the Pleasanton City Council on Monday evening that he had received an email last Friday indicating that the city is officially in regression. This means that the city’s Public Protection Classification (PPC) has worsened, leading... [More]
USD 362 board accepts roofing, telephone system bids
Prairie View Unified School District 362’s board of education awarded unanimously bids both for a roofing and a telephone system upgrade at its Oct. 21 monthly meeting. The roof is the first of a four-phase plan for replacement above the high school, this first one above... [More]
Pleasanton council passes motion, gives hiring power to police chief
During the Monday night meeting of the Pleasanton City Council, council member Aaron Portmann read a prepared statement regarding recent events and actions at the meetings held previously and then moved to have the city attorney draft an ordinance granting the power of appointment... [More]
More News
- Former Zoning Administrator explains KORA requests
- Pleasanton Council overrides mayor veto on firefighter appointments
- Snyder appointed Linn County Register of Deeds
- Blue Mound to apply for KDHE loan for sewer project
- Souza resigns county clerk post
- Farmers State Bank under new ownership
- Linn Valley council updated on water, lagoon projects
- Suit filed in Sunshine Meadows building permit case
SPORTS
Prairie View cross country qualifies two for State
The Prairie View cross country team traveled to Neodesha on Oct. 25 to compete in a 3A Regional to determine who makes the 3A State cross country meet. The Buffalos did well and the girls, as a team, placed fifth overall with a score of 115. To see the full article, check... [More]
Blu Jays’ Alvarez qualifies for State at Regionals
The Pleasanton cross country team brought their best runner in Dominic Alvarez to Central Heights on Oct. 25 to compete in a 1A Regional. The regional determines who makes the 1A State cross country meet and Alvarez qualified for the State meet by placing eighth at Regionals... [More]
Buffs grind on, record setting night sets scene to capture district title at Iola
Despite recent off-field adversity, Prairie View’s football team continues to grind on, as evidenced by their 52-20 Pioneer League runners-up and Class 3-A, District 2 championship efforts Friday night at Iola. Buffalo generational talent Parker Schwarz had a night for... [More]
More Sports
- Prairie View football stays on top of their district with big win over Girard
- Prairie View volleyball finishes season at Girard
- Jays lock in league runner up spot at Uniontown
- Jayhawk football routs Southeast Cherokee
- Pleasanton volleyball goes 2-2 in final week of the regular season
- Schneider makes State for Hawks in girls’ golf
- Wade and Britz advance to State for the Buffalos
- Blu-Jays convert takeaways into Homecoming win
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