Linn County News
Published November 13, 2024
Russell (Rusty) Alan Taylor went to be with the Lord, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at his home in Pittsburg, Kan., at the age of 58 years, 2 months and 18 days.
Russell was born August 19, 1966, to Hubert Adam Taylor, Jr. and Sharon Joyce (Gregg) Taylor. Russell attended elementary and junior high school in Urich and Lee’s Summit, Mo., transferring to Pleasanton, Kan., for high school where he graduated in 1984.
He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior in his youth. In his teens and young adult life, he was active at First Baptist Church of Pleasanton. Upon moving to Pittsburg, he attended Christ Community Church for several years, then transferred to South Broadway Baptist Church, remaining there until his death.
In high school, Russell enjoyed participating in band, football, track and basketball (affectionately earning the title Wrong Way Rusty). After high school, he was involved in the ROTC program while attending Pittsburg State University. In 1989, he was appointed 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserves.
In January 2001, Russell married Sue Ouderkirk. Russell adored his two stepdaughters, Brittany and Lauren, amused by their many antics. The family was blessed with a son, Anthony (Tony) Hubert Taylor, in 2002. Tony was the apple of Russell’s eye. His life from that point on focused on being a wonderful father to Tony, with his most important goal being for Tony to grow up with a love for Jesus. When Tony passed away in July of 2019, Russell knew in his heart that Tony was home with the Lord, which was his greatest comfort as he adjusted to life without him. There’s never been a more proud and devoted father.
Russell was a dedicated KC Chiefs and Royals fan, rarely missing a televised game with his beloved dachshund, Casey, by his side. Russell and Tony exchanged much good-natured ribbing over their opposing favorite teams. Russell was also a staunch Republican. We can all be assured he is rejoicing in heaven over the recent presidential election.
Russell worked in sales for many years in and around Pittsburg and Pleasanton. At the time of his death, he was a warranty sales consultant at Metro Appliances in Joplin, Mo. The Metro family would attest to Russell’s competitive nature. Whether it was having the top sales in warranties or picking the winning football teams for the week, he always wanted to be the “top dog.” He will be missed.
Russell is preceded in death by his son, Anthony Hubert Taylor; his father, Hubert Adam Taylor, Jr.; his paternal grandparents, Hubert and Virginia Taylor, Sr.; and his maternal grandparents, Harold and Carol Gregg.
He is survived by his mother, Sharon Joyce (Gregg) Akins of Bolivar, Mo.; stepdaughters Brittany Smith and Lauren Henson (Michael), all of Pittsburg, Kan.; stepmothers, Cindy Dawson (Randall) of Mound City, Kan., and Jackie Taylor of Pleasanton, Kan.; brothers Richard Gregg (Jodie) of Fair Play, Mo.; Charles Taylor (Barbara) of Harrisonville, Mo.; Chad Taylor of St. Robert, Mo.; Kyle Walker (Berenice) of Gladstone, Mo.; sisters Katherine Gupton of Phoenix, Ariz. and Teresa Fry (David) of Mountain Grove, Mo.; several aunts and uncles, seven step-grandchildren, and 19 nieces and nephews.
Russell is also survived by his close friends John and Suezette Fleske, and children, who have been ever present, loving, and helpful to him throughout his good times and rough times. Russell was much loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Russell will be cremated under the direction of Midland Cremation Society of Joplin. Interment will be at a later date at Fisher Cemetery, Pleasanton, Kan.
A celebration of life will be held at South Broadway Baptist Church, 1322 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, Kan. 66762 on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Tony Taylor Memorial Scholarship Fund, managed by South Broadway Baptist Church.
OBITUARIES
Burton Clyde Brownback ~ 05-21-1953 to 07-13-2025

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Burton Clyde Brownback, age 72, Tri-Ko resident in Osawatomie, Kan., passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025. He was born on May 21, 1953, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Clyde and Shirley Drake Brownback. He graduated from Prairie View... [More]
Ruth Ann Antrim ~ 05-21-1951 to 07-07-2025

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Ruth Ann Antrim, formerly Hueston, passed away July 7, 2025, after bravely battling cancer for many years. Ruth Ann was 74 years old. She lived and worked in the Mound City and Fort Scott, Kan., areas her... [More]
Helen Maxine Wright ~ 05-28-1939 to 06-19-2025

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Helen Maxine Wright, age 86, formerly of Blue Mound, Kan., passed away at her home in Abbyville, Kan., on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Funeral service was held at 11 a.m., Monday, July 7, 2025, at the Community... [More]
More Obituaries
- Kelly Kehl ~ 03-25-1938 to 06-28-2025
- Kandi Kay Cruse ~ 03-29-1958 to 06-27-2025
- Jessica Cae Pritchett ~ 08-30-1981 to 06-26-2025
- 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
NEWS
SPECIAL: Benefits question an issue for county employees

A poll sent to Linn County employees mid-week asking which benefit they would prefer to lose has created a spark of animosity among those who received it. One person anonymously shared it to a Mound City-oriented Facebook page as a screen shot along with their comments highlighting... [More]
Commissioners discuss various budgets

SEKMHC in mix At the end of a meeting attended by two of the three commissioners, a discussion was held regarding several of the proposed budgets for next year. Commissioners Alison Hamilton and Jim Johnson first discussed the proposed budget for Southeast Kansas Mental Health.... [More]
City learns of fire gear condition

Pleasanton Fire Department ISO inspection July 16 Following the appointment of new Fire Chief Jimmy Watts as Pleasanton Fire Chief, the Pleasanton Council heard of the condition of bunker gear Monday night at their bi-weekly meeting. Watts reported the truck ran with the... [More]
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SPORTS
Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament

The team called Nobodys wins the Blue Mound 4th of July co-ed softball tournament on July 5. This year the tournament consisted of eight teams. The Nobodys is Keith Morrell’s team and has been a part of the softball tournament since it started three years ago.
Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship

The Pleasanton 12-14 baseball team wins their league tournament on June 30 to July 1. Pleasanton hosted the tournament and won in the championship against La Cygne 11-7.
More Sports
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- 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
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

