Linn County News
Published May 17, 2017
Shirley Marie Bruner Ball of Garnett, Kan., was born Aug. 9, 1941, on the family farm near Xenia, Kan., and passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 10, 2017, at the age of 75. She was the seventh of 10 children born to Walter Eberlee Bruner and Agnes Mackie Bruner.
Her life was shaped by a large farming family and surrounding neighbors in Mud Hollow. She attended grade school through eighth grade at Mapleton and went on to graduate from Blue Mound High School in 1959. She loved her big family and growing up with eight siblings helped develop her love of competition. As a young girl, Shirley enjoyed reading, basketball, softball and swimming. She learned to work hard on the farm as a child and was dedicated to her work as an adult. After high school, she worked for two years in Fort Scott at Western Insurance.
She was united in marriage to Carrol Ball in 1962. During this time in her life she also worked hard at building a business with Carrol, raising sheep, which she loved so much, and raising three children. This marriage ended in divorce in 1969.
She went to work at the Parker Sewing Factory and later at the Sherwood Inn and Restaurant in Garnett, where she loved her co-workers and customers. She was a huge Perry Mason and Elvis fan, and loved listening to the radio and playing cards and Yahtzee! In retirement, Shirley enjoyed traveling and fishing.
Shirley leaves behind her son, Jonnie Lee Ball of Kansas City, Kan.; her son, Lonnie Carrol Ball and wife Melanie of Olathe, Kan.; daughter Juanita Joann Peine and husband Bob of Parker, Kan.; and companion Clifford Wells of Garnett. She is also survived by her brother, Willard Bruner and wife Darla of Fort Scott, Kan.; her sisters, Venita Miller of Kincaid, Kan., and Marilyn Bruner of Fort Scott; sister in-law Freda Bruner of Mound City, Kan.; many nieces and nephews; and her grandsons, Lee, Damon and Donovan Ball, and Trint, Justin and Chaylin Peine.
She was preceded in death by her parents; infant sister Mary; sisters Lorraine Wilcox and husband W.H. Wilcox, Leora Ross and husband Keith Ross, and Pauline Seitz; brothers Virgil Bruner and Joseph Bruner; nephews Raymond Badders and Virgil Miller; and niece Vicki Bruner.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel, Garnett, with burial following in the Sunny Slope Cemetery in Blue Mound, Kan.
Memorial contributions may be left to Prairie Paws Rescue in care of Feuerborn Family Funeral Home. You may send your condolences to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.
OBITUARIES
John Clayton Bowman ~ 02-01-1944 to 08-17-2025

Linn County News Published August 20, 2025 John Clayton Bowman, age 81, Parker, Kan., passed away Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. He was born on Feb. 1, 1944, in Goodrich, Kan., the son of John Thomas “Tom” Bowman and Carrie Theodoshia Shafer Bowman. John attended... [More]
Arnold Joseph Lickteig ~ 05-16-1931 to 07-31-2025

Linn County News Published August 6, 2025 Arnold Joseph Lickteig, age 94, formerly of Greeley, Kan., passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Colonial Oaks Senior Living at Spring Hill in Spring Hill, Kan. Arnie was born on May 16, 1931, on a farm east of Greeley,... [More]
Joe W. Mann ~ 09-02-1951 to 07-26-2025

Linn County News Published July 30, 2025 Joe W. Mann, age 73 of La Cygne, Kan., passed away at his home on Saturday, July 26, 2025. There are no services scheduled at this time. Contributions are suggested to the Schneider Funeral Home and may be sent... [More]
More Obituaries
- Jean Driskell ~ 03-22-1943 to 07-18-2025
- Burton Clyde Brownback ~ 05-21-1953 to 07-13-2025
- Ruth Ann Antrim ~ 05-21-1951 to 07-07-2025
- Helen Maxine Wright ~ 05-28-1939 to 06-19-2025
- 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
NEWS
Linn County News website gets new update

Recently you may have seen our notification on our website or our Facebook page that we were undergoing some changes on our website at www.linncountynews.net. We here at the News are happy to announce those changes are nearly complete. Changes to the website include an easier... [More]
Commissioners vote 1-1 on motion to not exceed revenue neutral

County now required to cut budget to meet the RNR rate BY $837,000 The Linn County commissioners, with Commissioner Jason Hightower absent, began the revenue neutral hearing on Monday, Aug. 25, by welcoming those in the audience and stating the purpose and objective... [More]
Linn Valley looks at option for fire truck purchase, new vehicles

The Linn Valley City Council held a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21, with Mayor Lew Donelson presiding and all council members present except for John Weers. City Attorney James Brun was also present. The meeting began with a presentation by city’s financial... [More]
More News
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- Pleasanton Council readies city for General Pleasonton Days
- Parker 2026 city budget could exceed revenue neutral
- La Cygne proceeds with facilities improvement
- Economic Development Director resigns
- Pleasanton moves forward with streets plan
- USD 344 adopts new cell phone policy
SPORTS
Frog gigging a new ‘old sport’

It’s another one of those…So…stories. So, last weekend was an adventure. I’ve gotten involved with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Wild Foods Academy (WFA) that is a pilot program designed to educate many ‘left-0ut’ people’s... [More]
Fishing Derby kicks off at Linn County Fair

The annual Linn County Fair and Rodeo Fishing Derby was held on the morning of Aug. 9. Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks fish biologist Don George has been heading the derby since 1987 and this year was no different. The derby was divided into three age... [More]
Linn County Farm Bureau hosts annual pedal pull

The Linn County Farm Bureau Association hosted the annual kids’ pedal pull on the evening of Aug. 8. Kids 4 to 12 can compete in the event for a chance to earn a spot at the State pedal pull at Hutchinson. Trophies and a place at the State fair was awarded to the... [More]
More Sports
- From the Bleachers – 717
- Annual demo derby kicks off this year’s Linn County Fair and Rodeo
- From the Bleachers - 719
- Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship
- Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest
- PV Cheer has strong performances at UCA Summer Camp 2025
- Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament
- Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship
OBITUARIES POLICY
• May be mailed, e-mailed, faxed or hand delivered.
• Must be received by 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning in order to appear in that week's edition.
• Obituaries submitted by funeral homes will be billed to the funeral home.
• Full obituaries submitted by individuals are required to be paid in advance.
• Cost: $40 for 300 words or less. Each additional word over 300, 10¢. Photograph $5.
Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com
