Linn County News
Published April 17, 2024
Ronald Joe Smith, 79, LaCygne, Kan., passed away Thursday, April 11, 2024, at Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, Kan. Visitation will be 10 – 11 a.m. Friday, April 19, 2024, at Bruce Funeral Home, 106 S. Center, Gardner, Kan. Graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. at Cadmus Cemetery, Cadmus, Kan. Memorial contributions may be made to New Life Baptist Church, 19089 KS-152, LaCygne, Kansas. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome.com
Ron was born in Parsons, Kan., on May 10, 1944, to Thomas Earl and Alfreda (Sandwith) Smith. His family moved to Olathe and then Gardner, where he graduated from Gardner High School. Ron married Carole Stockmeyer and later Diana Lynn Anderson. He later moved to Aurora, Colo., and Prairie City, Ore. Ron was a salesperson for Adams and Son Trucking, Aurora, Colo. He loved to workout daily at the gym. Ron especially enjoyed hiking, biking and camping. He liked to read and was the author of two published novels.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents; wives Carole and Diana; and brother Thomas Harry Smith. He is survived by his sons Rick Smith, Parker, Kan., and Ronald Duane Smith, Gardner, Kan.; sister Patty Heath, Boone, Iowa; stepdaughters: Lindsay and Jessica; and grandchildren: Eric, Jessika, Leif, Eric, Sam, Cody, Eliza, Ivy and Luca.
OBITUARIES
Janice Geyer ~ 03-14-1955 to 06-16-2026
Linn County News Published June 24, 2026 Janice Geyer, 71, of Moberly, Mo., passed away on June 16, 2026. She was born on March 14, 1955, in Kansas City, Kan., the daughter of Donald and Carol Cline. Janice graduated from Shawnee Mission Northwest High School... [More]
Craig Alan Wood ~ 06-20-1951 to 06-18-2026
Linn County News Published June 24, 2026 Craig Alan Wood, age 74, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Thursday, June 18, 2026. He was born on June 20, 1951, in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Virgil Leon "Ab" and Delma Dorene (Brown) Wood. He graduated from Prescott... [More]
Adam Lee Johnston April 9, 1969 — June 9, 2026
Linn County News Published June 17, 2026 Adam Lee Johnston, 57, passed away in his residence in Linn Valley, Kan., on June 9, 2026. Linn Valley had been Adam’s home for several years; he built a cabin by Linn Valley Lake and spent his days building, playing music, and... [More]
More Obituaries
- Steven Edwin Lindsey August 10, 1943 — June 9, 2026
- Lance Robert Minchew ~ 07-26-1971 to 04-24-2026
- Jackie Ray “Jack” Harris ~ 12-04-1950 to 05-21-2026
- Clara Mae “Butch” Heflin ~ 04-18-1946 to 05-28-2026
- Gwendolyn Joanne Bradley ~ 02-08-1936 to 05-15-2026
- George W. Ernst III ~ 08-06-1942 to 05-25-2026
- Ruth Ellen Stainbrook ~ 02-12-1933 to 05-16-2026
- Gary Wayne Simpson ~ 01-17-1952 to 05-13-2026
NEWS
La Cygne Council readies for Blast in the Park
The La Cygne Council met Wednesday, June 17 and learned that plans for the annual Blast in the Park are ongoing for Saturday, July 11. The annual wiener-dog race will begin at 6 p.m. at the park with fireworks scheduled for dark. Events are planned throughout the evening. Police... [More]
City of Pleasanton clerk resigns
Word was received Tuesday, June 23 of the resignation of Pleasanton’s City Clerk who formally posted her resignation Friday, June 19. Candy Houtman had been city clerk since the retirement/resignation of former City Administrator Becky Hegwald who left after the council... [More]
Linn Valley discusses data center tour, battery storage
The Linn Valley City Council held its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 22, 2026, with Mayor Lister Potter presiding with all council members present except Council President Michael Hemphill. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and an opening prayer... [More]
More News
- Convicted serial killer denied clemency for death sentence
- SPECIAL: Parker fireworks ordinance
- SPECIAL: To the La Cygne Community
- Jodi Wade: Service, Family, and a Sense of Duty
- A blink into the past 250th Anniversary Edition
- Mound City discusses pet vaccination clinics
- Pleasanton pride, lack of mowing discussed Monday
- Commissioners approve county employee insurance package
SPORTS
Red, White & Blue and Bulls bullfighting July 4
What started as a dream of having a bullfight in his backyard has mushroomed to nationwide bullfighting events for Dakota Knight, Lebo, Kan. Knight, husband of Brileigh (Ware) Knight, began the bull fighting/breeding operation in 2020, that after winning 3rd place in the Worlds... [More]
Prairie View trapshooting brings home individual championships and team trophies
The Prairie View trapshooting team traveled to Wichita this past weekend to compete in the 2026 Kansas State High School Clay Target League 2A State tournament. The Buffalos did very well at the event as they claimed two team State trophies. The Junior Varsity squad placed... [More]
Three Rivers All League baseball announced
The Three Rivers League named their All League baseball teams recently and both Pleasanton and Jayhawk had players on the teams. Jayhawk and Pleasanton had one player each on the first team and one player each as honorable mention. Easton White of Jayhawk and Mario Davis of... [More]
More Sports
- Three Rivers League announces All League softball team
- 2026 TRL All League Golf
- Patrick leads Pleasanton track with multiple medals
- Schwarz, Stevens, and Browning represent Prairie View at State track
- Jayhawk track competes at 3A State
- Prairie View track qualifies three athletes for State
- Jayhawk track qualifies eight for State
- Pleasanton track qualifies six for State
OBITUARIES POLICY
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com
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