Linn County News
Published March 31, 2021
Roy Lee Clifton, age 68, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Saturday, March 27, 2021. He was born on Feb. 16, 1953, in Hannibal, Mo., the son of Donald and Dixie (Dove) Clifton. Roy is survived by his wife, Sherrie Clifton; three children, Tonya Umphenour and fiance' Dan Cummings, Tiffani Oliver and husband Brad Oliver, and Tim Clifton and wife Kaylee Clifton; five grandchildren, Kylie Oliver, Ty Umphenour, Kyle Oliver, J.C. Gross and Dally Umphenour; and two great-grandchildren, Emmerson Ayres and Lawson Kuns. Roy is also survived by his brother, Greg Clifton and wife Tina; and sister, Donna Sue Clifton.
Roy was a kind and loving husband to Sherrie for 47 years, meeting in Collinsville, Okla., and marrying on May 11, 1974. Roy was a man of God, baptizing every one of his children and grandchildren. His family often referred to him as the "Bible scholar." As a passion for God's word, he knew his Bible beginning to end. He raised and taught his family to know and trust in the Lord through the good times and the bad times. As he got sick they often asked him "how do you remain so grounded?" His response was always "God is in control and always has a plan." He always showed compassion and grace. Grudges were something Roy didn't do. "Superhero" is an understatement his family says. Roy was the king of "dad" jokes. He could always make an entire room crack up with his dry humor and typically with a straight face. Just like he dealt with his experiences in life, he also managed his illness with strength and grace. In his final moments he was surrounded by his wife and three children who looked up to him as their best friend, their hero and their rock. Roy worked for Kansas City Power and Light for 36 years. During his career at the plant, he started in the coal yard eventually working his way up, becoming a licensed electrician. Roy stated many times to his family, “I truly enjoyed what I did, and even though I worked countless hours, I got to do something I enjoyed and it never seemed too bad.” Working hard was truly his second nature, but he also liked to play hard too. His ultimate hobby was raising bluetick coonhounds which he started in the early ‘80s. Roy's accomplishments in competition coon hunting started in 1982 winning the Kansas State Show with a dog named Tanny. Later on, he won the biggest bluetick hunt in the nation, National Bluetick Days King of Hunt with his bluetick Smoke in 2012 and then repeated this once in a lifetime feat in 2015 with Smoke's son, Deal. In 2017 he put the icing on the cake winning the National Bluetick Reunion King of Hunt with the same bluetick, Deal. He started breeding and hunting "Mad Dog" blueticks in ‘82 and was still hunting the same line of "Mad Dogs" today. Roy and his son Timmy hunted together for almost 30 years. The pleasure and competition hunts are too many to mention, hunting in several states all across the nation and making friends at every one along the way. Roy enjoyed horses throughout his lifetime, riding Tennessee Walking Horses in his younger years, later developing his love for team roping. His children have many memories of Friday nights at saddle club that extended to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Many 4-H horse shows in the summer with Roy helping to groom and prep all the kids’ horses for shows, sweating his butt off and rarely showing frustration because, at the end of the day, he was having just as much fun as the kids were.
Funeral service was held Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel, burial in the Littell Cemetery. Contributions are suggested to the Fairmount Community Association. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.
OBITUARIES
Debra Dale Wolf ~ 04-03-1954 to 03-22-2023

Linn County News Published March 29, 2023 Debra Dale Wolf, age 68, Linn Valley, Kan., passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2023. Graveside funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at the Trading Post Cemetery. Memorial contributions... [More]
Jessica Erin Cox ~ 11-15-1979 to 03-20-2023

Linn County News Published March 29, 2023 Jessica Erin Cox, beloved daughter, and granddaughter, passed away at her home in Lawrence, Kan., March 20, 2023. Jessica was born Nov. 15, 1979, at the University of Kansas Medical Center. She was a graduate of Shawnee... [More]
Larry Ray Oliver ~ 07-12-1953 to 03-22-2023

Linn County News Published March 29, 2023 Larry Ray Oliver, age 69, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. Funeral service will be at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel. Visitation... [More]
More Obituaries
- Buford Wayne “Bud” Lindsey ~ 11-21-1934 to 03-15-2023
- Vance Laverne Bruner ~ 07-01-1959 to 03-17-2023
- Curtis Eugene Virgin ~ 09-09-1944 to 03-14-2023
- Janice Ann Leasure Woodrum ~ 05-04-1948 to 03-05-2023
- Lewis Michael Wilson ~ 08-13-1952 to 03-05-2023
- Janet Dean Robinson Staton ~ 02-16-1939 to 03-08-2023
- Margaret Ellen McRae ~ 01-30-1932 to 03-06-2023
- C.H. Parker ~ 08-24-1942 to 03-06-2023
NEWS
Special: Governor issues declaration of disaster emergency due to threat of wildland fires

Governor Laura Kelly issued a verbal declaration of disaster emergency this morning, March 31, due to the potential for wildland fires and severe storms in the state. The declaration will allow the state to preposition assets for a quicker response to any fires... [More]
Commissioners discuss Pleasanton meal site options

During the latter part of the meeting on Monday, March 27, Linn County Commissioners discussed the walk-through on Wednesday, March 22 at the former Memaw’s Kitchen located at 6th and Main Streets in Pleasanton. Economic Development Director Jessica Hightower read notes... [More]
Linn Valley moves forward with water, sewer project

“Positive ramifications” for the city Following a 15-minute legal session called by Linn Valley Mayor Cindy Smith at their Monday meeting, the mayor announced a preliminary agreement with Rural Water District #1 for water rights in Linn Valley. Smith... [More]
More News
- USD 362 leader asks to broaden policy
- SPECIAL: National Walking Day on Wednesday, April 5th
- SPECIAL: Drug operation ends with six arrests in Miami and Linn counties
- Linn County Planning & Zoning Commission says no to windmills
- Heartland REC introduces possible Linn County solar field
- County appraiser reports on valuation increases
- One-cent sales tax coming on Pleasanton ballot
- SPECIAL: Pleasanton One-Cent Sales Tax Questions
SPORTS
Prairie View competes at State Powerlifting meet

The Prairie View Buffalos competed in the State Powerlifting meet on March 25. The meet had 285 total lifters and the Buffalos took 16 boys and nine girls to the event. Prairie View had two lifters place second in their respective weight divisions at the meet. Rhett Jackman,... [More]
Jayhawk softball and baseball open season against Southeast Cherokee

The Jayhawk baseball and softball teams opened their 2023 season at home against Southeast Cherokee on March 27. Both softball and baseball teams played a double header and the boys split while the girls swept the Lancers. Baseball won their first game 3-0 but lost the second... [More]
More Sports
- 2022-23 All County Girls’ Basketball team
- Jayhawk Wrestling Club has five place at State
- Linn County Twisters takes 13 to State, 5 place
- Lady Buffs win 1, fall in semifinals
- Pleasanton basketball falls in the first round of Sub-State
- White places sixth for Jayhawk wrestling at State
- Kline and Cox-Halliburton represent Prairie View at State
- Prairie View basketball splits against Anderson County

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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com