Linn County News
Published Nov. 16, 2016
Robert Dee “Rob” Hedges, 62, of Ottawa, Kan., passed away Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
Funeral service was held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, at the Ottawa University Fredrikson Chapel, 10th & Cedar.
Family met with friends from 6:30-8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 11, 2016, also at the chapel.
Cremation with private inurnment at Trading Post Cemetery, Pleasanton, Kan.
Rob was born Tuesday, Feb. 23, 1954, in Butler, Mo., the son of Leroy and Helen (Osborn) Hedges.
He was baptized at the Amoret Christian Church in Amoret, Mo.
He was raised in Pleasanton, Kan. Rob lived in Manhattan, Kan., moving from Corpus Cristi, Texas. Since 1982, he has lived in Franklin County.
Rob graduated from Pleasanton High School with the class of 1972 and attended Pittsburg State University. He completed his degree at Kansas State University obtaining his bachelor of science in natural resource management/parks & recreation.
Rob served in the U.S. Navy from June 1975 to June 1979. He obtained the rank of AZ3 Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Third Class.
Rob was married to Cheryl Leonard. They later divorced.
Rob was united in marriage to Lori Lynne Wistuba on June 4, 1994, in Ottawa. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include his four children Paul Hedges of Olathe, Jason Hedges and wife, Betsy, of Ottawa, Daniel Hedges and wife, Sara, of Kansas City, Kan., and Hannah Hedges and boyfriend Alex Hasty both of Ottawa; two brothers Steve Hedges and wife, Sharon, of Sugar Valley Lakes, Mound City, and David Hedges and wife, Diane, of Dallas, Texas; two sisters-in-law Linda Hedges of El Dorado and Merleann Hedges of Houston, Texas; eight grandchildren Enzi Hedges, Rowan Hedges, Addison Hedges, Jacelyn Hedges, Ben Hadley, Blaise Cobb, Jay Cobb and Henri Hedges; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy and Helen Hedges; and two brothers Willard Hedges and Cliff Hedges.
After college he worked at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Pomona Lake and then was a site manager 11 years at Camp Chippewa United Methodist Church Camp. He was currently employed with Orscheln Farm & Home as an assistant manager from 1991 to present.
He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, taking photos of nature and traveling. He was very knowledgeable about trees, birds and nature in general. He was also an avid gardener and BBQ master, known for his smoking and grilling.
Family and friends can help with medical expenses by donating to www.youcaring.com/rob-hedges-606814/update/538429. The family suggests memorial contributions to Franklin County Cancer Foundation c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, KS 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Rob’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com.
OBITUARIES
Kelly Kehl ~ 03-25-1938 to 06-28-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Kelly Kehl, age 87, of Mound City, Kan., passed away Saturday, June 28, 2025, at his rural Mound City home. Kelly was born March 25, 1938, south of Parker, Kan., to Keith (Tom) Emerson Kehl and Helen Edith (Giffin) Kehl. Kelly... [More]
Kandi Kay Cruse ~ 03-29-1958 to 06-27-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Kandi Kay Cruse passed away on June 27, 2025, at the age of 67 after a valiant battle with cancer. Born on March 29, 1958, in Colorado Springs, Colo., Kandi’s zest for life and carefree spirit were evident from an early age. She... [More]
Jessica Cae Pritchett ~ 08-30-1981 to 06-26-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Jessica Cae Pritchett age 43 of Parker, Kan., died Thursday, June 26, 2025, at Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Visitation will be 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Eddy Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie, Kan. ... [More]
More Obituaries
- 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
- Richard “Dick” Smith ~ 04-18-1942 to 06-22-2025
- 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
NEWS
special: SCOTUS agrees to hear Women's Sports Case

Case paves the way for states to continue to protect women and girl's athletic opportunities Topeka, Kan. July 3, 2025 - Today, the Supreme Court of the United States granted certiorari in Hecox v. Little and West Va., v. BPJ. Rep.... [More]
SPECIA;: Schmidt Votes to Cancel Massive Tax Hike, Secure Border, and Lower Federal Spending

WASHINGTON, DC: Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) issued the following statement regarding passage of the budget reconciliation bill by the U.S. House of Representatives, also called the “One Big Beautiful Bill”: “Last November,... [More]
NOTICE:

The Linn County News and Linn County Printing offices will be closed on Friday, July 4, in honor of the holiday.
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- NOTICE:
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SPORTS
Gratton at Nationals

Pleasanton’s Ashton Gratton qualifies for the Adidas Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina after winning the 100 and 200 meter dashes in the KSHSAA 2A State tournament in Wichita on May 31. The Adidas Nationals took place from June 20-22 and Gratton did well in both the... [More]
Summer Ball Tournaments

The Parker 8-11 baseball team 1 places first in their league tournament at La Cygne on June 28. See more photos on page B1 of this week's edition.
More Sports
- 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
- Pleasanton and Jayhawk baseball on the 2025 All TRL team
- Jayhawk Linn softball has three All TRL unanimous selections
- Trenton Broyles leads Hawks at State track
- Prairie View track earns six medals at State
- Pleasanton’s Gratton wins two golds, sets meet record
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

