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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

Gary Ray Johnson ~ 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025

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Linn County News Published June 4, 2025   Gary Ray Johnson, age 90 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on May 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, June 2, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home in Pleasanton, Kan. Visitation... [More]

Rees Lyle Shattuck ~ 08-31-1931 to 05-26-2025

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Linn County News Published May 28, 2025   Rees Lyle Shattuck, age 93, Prescott, Kan., passed away Monday, May 26, 2025. He was born on Aug. 31, 1931, in Boicourt, Kan., the son of Rees Wilbur and Lulu Elizabeth Black Shattuck. He served his country in the United... [More]

Wayne Eldon Long ~ 07-03-1942 to 05-24-2025

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Linn County News Published May 28, 2025   Wayne Eldon Long, age 82, of Parker, Kan., passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Wayne was born on July 3, 1942, in Garnett, Kan., the son of Homer Leon and Margaret Ethel (Collins) Long. He was one of three children and... [More]

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PLEASANTON WEATHER

NEWS

SPECIAL: Commission to vote Monday on Parker Center lease

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Linn County commissioners plan to vote at their weekly 9 a.m. meeting next Monday, June 2, on a 99-year lease agreement with Parker and their Senior Center building. At Tuesday's weekly Commission meeting, delayed by a day because of Monday's federal Memorial Day observance,... [More]

Despite Chamber loss, Blast in the Park fireworks will go off

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Council actions include split vote on deed conveyance   Hearing of the disbandment of its local Chamber of Commerce, La Cygne leaders have verbally concurred that the city’s part in the annual Blast in the Park festivities will go on. Following that Chamber notification... [More]

Linn Valley discusses city hall funding sources

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The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, with Mayor Lew Donelson presiding and all council members present.    Donelson informed the council of two potential opportunities for funding a new City Hall building. ... [More]

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SPORTS

Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State

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The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to West Franklin on May 22 to compete in the 3A Regional. As a team the girls placed 10th with a score of 22.5 points while the boys were fifth with 56 points. This year the top three places in each event qualify for the State meet then... [More]

School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka

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The Pleasanton track team traveled to Eureka on May 22 for a 2A Regional track meet. This year the top three places advance to the State meet along the top four times/distances not from the top three from all other Regionals. This year the Jays qualified eight athletes in seven... [More]

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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

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