Ruth Margaret Kastl Smith, 91, a resident of rural Fort Scott, Kan., died Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, at her home. She was born Nov. 3, 1924, in Linn County, Kan., the daughter of Earl Jeffers and Ellen Macoubrie Jeffers. Ruth graduated from Blue Mound High School in 1942.
The day after her graduation, she married Clifford Kastl. He preceded her in death in 1971. Ruth later married G. C. “Smitty” Smith in 1974. He died in 2012.
Ruth loved her life in the country and had made her home on the same farm for 68 years. She loved animals and had worked as a receptionist and assistant at Dr. Schafer’s Veterinary Clinic. She had also been employed by the Sale Barn.
Ruth was a member of the West Liberty United Methodist Church. She was also a member of Eastern Star and had served as Past Worthy Matron and Past District Aide.
Survivors include a son Mike Kastl of Fort Scott; three step-children, Granville Smith and wife, Judy, of Baxter, Iowa, Kathy Talbot of Fort Scott and Richard Smith and wife, Cindy, of Oklahoma City, Okla.; 13 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a brother, George Jeffers of Centerville, Kan.; and two sisters, Frances Noggle of Benton City, Wash., and Elouise Towle of Ashland, Mo.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 5, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Bronson Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Mercy Hospice and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
OBITUARIES
Cecil L. Fish 12-07-1931 to 04-08-2021

Linn County News Published April 14, 2021 Cecil L. Fish, 89, Ottawa, Kan., and former longtime Labette County resident, passed away Thursday, April 8, 2021, at his home. Cecil was born the third child to Cecil Paige and Edna (Nickoley) Fish on Dec. 7, 1931, in... [More]
William Michael McMillan 08-24-1960 to 04-08-2021

Linn County News Published April 14, 2021 William Michael McMillan, age 60, of St. Joseph, Mo., passed away on Thursday, April 8, 2021. He was born on Aug. 24, 1960, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of William McMillan and Virginia Russell McMillan. He... [More]
Vivian Lucile Bright 04-04-1928 to 04-08-2021

Linn County News Published April 14, 2021 Vivian Lucile Bright, age 93, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on Thursday, April 8, 2021. She was born in La Cygne, Kan., on April 4, 1928, the daughter of Raymond and Leona Dodge Vail. Vivian graduated from... [More]
More Obituaries
- Brett Michael Johnson 07-10-1995 to 12-12-2020
- Thomas Franklin “T.F.” Edmonds 01-14-1928 to 11-06-2020
- Vernon LeRoy “Roy” Massey 02-09-1922 to 10-07-2020
- Margaret Eileen Wier 02-15-1943 to 09-21-2020
- Elynor Ann Miller 08-28-1924 to 08-02-2020
- James J. Shannon Robinson 03-29-1980 to 08-01-2020
- Charles William “Bill” Atwood Jr. 05-31-1927 to 07-29-2020
- Verna Louise Bright 09-06-1935 to 07-30-2020
NEWS
Mound City Council reopens discussions on sale of lake

The Mound City Council met by phone for a special meeting on Tuesday afternoon, April 6, for the purpose of determining whether or not to reopen the discussions on the sale of the city lake. During the course of that meeting, the council voted to go forward with the discussions... [More]
La Cygne will absorb high gas invoice

Customers are spared a billing shock La Cygne natural gas customers will not feel the burden of a high February supplier invoice. The unanimous decision by its council followed a 15-minute executive session for legal attorney-client privilege at its regular meeting... [More]
Fire board says no to change in burn ban policy

New possibilities discussed Linn County Fire Chief Doug Barlet reported to the Linn County Commissioners on Monday, April 12, that he had discussed their request for possible changes to the burn ban policy, and the board had voted 7-0 to make no changes; however, they... [More]
More News
- Commissioners approve roof bid for fire stations
- Christmas in Linn County
- New quarantine guidelines announced, software approved for Health Department
- Wreck leaves local attorney injured
- Commissioners opt to leave mask decision to school boards
- USD 362 sets new bond election date
- Cattle industry feeling the impact of COVID-19
- LC Sheriff’s Office joins Crimes Against Children Task Force
SPORTS
Many contribute to Lady Buffs sweep of Iola

Prairie View got contributions from many sources in their April 6 softball doubleheader sweep of Iola. Wins of 10-3 and 18-8 over the Fillies raised the Lady Buffalos’ Pioneer League record to 4-0, 5-0 overall, to begin this week. The team will host a non-league twinbill... [More]
Jayhawk JV golf has good showings at Erie, Fort Scott

The Jayhawk JV golf team did well last week. On April 5 they traveled to Erie and on April 6 they went to Fort Scott for a tournament hosted by Uniontown. In the Erie tournament they only brought three golfers so they could not place as a team, but at the Uniontown tournament... [More]
More Sports
- Pleasanton baseball starts season with a pair of walk-off thrillers against Oswego
- Prairie View, Pioneer League ponder Baldwin addition
- Pleasanton girls’ basketball hopes for good season with young but experienced team
- Prairie View football has multiple players on the All Pioneer League team
- Prairie View football starts playoffs strong with dominant win over Caney Valley
- Jayhawk football falls to West Franklin
- Pleasanton football falls to Olpe
- Pleasanton football falls in close game to Uniontown on Homecoming