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
Donna Lee (Bishop) Stites ~ 02-13-1941 to 03-26-2025

Linn County News Published April 2, 2025 Donna Lee (Bishop) Stites, age 84, of Mound City, Kan., passed away peacefully in her sleep March 26, 2025, at the Olathe Medical Center, after an extended illness. Born on Feb. 13, 1941, the third child of Jacob and... [More]
Frank Scott DeRemus ~ 06-21-1967 to 03-04-2025

Linn County News Published April 2, 2025 Frank Scott DeRemus age 57 of Blue Mound, Kan., passed away Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at his home in Blue Mound. Scott was born June 21, 1967, in Olathe, Kan., to Frank Fox and Sharon K. (Chadwick) DeRemus. On August 11, 1994,... [More]
Douglas Eugene Joseph ~ 08-06-1964 to 03-16-2025

Linn County News Published April 2, 2025 Douglas Eugene Joseph, 60, of Fort Scott, Kan., died Sunday, March 16, 2025, at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, Mo. Doug was born on Aug. 6, 1964, in Pittsburg, Kan., to Jean Ann Jones. He graduated from high school... [More]
More Obituaries
- Linda Sue Tyson ~ 01-24-1942 to 03-21-2025
- Brent Ross Wheeler ~ July 27, 1956 – March 22, 2025
- Alice Walker ~ 09-03-1928 to 03-20-2025
- Colton James McCammon ~ 08-26-2003 to 03-15-2025
- Kenneth Lawrence Sloan ~ 01-24-1950 to 03-11-2025
- Lois Joan Streeter ~ 11-18-1931 to 03-05-2025
- Lila R. McCarty ~ 05-21-1938 to 03-08-2025
- Norma Jean Harvey ~ 09-26-1935 to 02-21-2025
NEWS
SPECIAL: STATEHOUSE REPORTING BUDGET FOR MARCH 28, 2025

FETALPERSONHOOD – The House and Senate on Thursday passed a bill that will require child support for unborn fetuses from the date of conception as well as an income tax exemption. A conference committee report was presented for HB2062 before the... [More]
SPECIAL: U.S. 69 overlay project set to begin in Bourbon and Linn counties

Monday, March 31, the Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin resurfacing work on U.S. 69 in Bourbon and Linn counties. An overlay will be placed on the northbound lanes of U.S. 69, starting at the south U.S. 54 junction in Fort Scott and continuing... [More]
Commissioners learn of grant for planning phase on courthouse repairs

During the March 24 meeting, the Linn County Commissioners heard from Linn County Public Works Administrator Shaun West on a grant possibility for repair work to the courthouse. SEKRPC (SEK Regional Planning Commission) is willing to assist with the HPF (Historic Preservation... [More]
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- SPECIAL: K-52 resurfacing project will begin soon
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- County hears from Tanglewood residents during public comment
- Commissioners discuss new option for Devlin Road
- Board votes to extend Meik contract
SPORTS
2025 Boys’ Basketball All County team

The 2024-2025 high school boys’ basketball has concluded and it is time once again for the annual All County team. As usual choosing the team was tough as there were many good players this season and plenty more that showed steady progress through the season. As... [More]
2025 Girls’ Basketball All County team

High school girls’ basketball has concluded for the 2024-25 season and it’s time for the annual All County team. Like the boys’ team, and like most years, choosing players was tough. Plenty of girls from all three schools, Prairie View, Jayhawk Linn and Pleasanton,... [More]
More Sports
- A season in review: Jayhawk Linn wrestling
- A season in review: Prairie View wrestling
- Pleasanton boys’ basketball earns Sub-State runner-up
- Prairie View girls’ basketball ends season against Neodesha
- Case leads Prairie View girls’ wrestling with a second-place finish
- McCarty leads Lady Hawks with a fourth-place finish at State
- Blu-Jays win sub-state shootout
- Jayhawk boys’ wrestling sends five to State
OBITUARIES POLICY
• May be mailed, e-mailed, faxed or hand delivered.
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• 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

