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

Jean Driskell ~ 03-22-1943 to 07-18-2025

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Linn County News Published July 23, 2025   Jean Driskell, age 82, formerly of La Cygne, Kan., passed away Friday, July 18, 2025.   Memorial service will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home, La Cygne Chapel. Visitation... [More]

Burton Clyde Brownback ~ 05-21-1953 to 07-13-2025

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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

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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]

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PLEASANTON WEATHER

NEWS

Special: Resurfacing to begin on U.S. 69 in Linn County

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Pleasanton FD again at center of heated discussion

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La Cygne city to be below revenue neutral

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SPORTS

Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship

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Eight members of the Pleasanton Trapshooting Team traveled to Mason, Mich., last week to compete in the USA Clay Target League National Championship. Five members participated in the team event, and all eight competed individually. The team was among 264 qualified teams competing... [More]

Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest

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The Blue Mound girls’ coach pitch team 1 places second at the TRL girls’ coach pitch tournament at Colony. The tournament took place from July 7 to July 9.

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