Shirley Pieratt-Ellis passed away Wednesday, May 13, 2015, in Joplin, Mo. She was born Nov. 9, 1931, near Casey, Iowa, to John and Ruby Wilkerson.
The family then moved to the Pleasanton, Kan., area where Shirley grew up before moving to Kansas City. She graduated from Rich Hill High School in 1949.She began a lifelong career working briefly for Bell Telephone (AT&T) and then as supervisor at the waferfab department for Western Electric (Lucent) in Lee’s Summit, Mo., retiring after 29 years of meritorious service.
Shirley first married Harley H. Pieratt on July 6, 1951, in Kansas City. Their marriage produced two sons and one daughter. She later met and married Keith Ellis which lasted until his passing in 1996.
She lived and worked in Kansas City and Lee’s Summit for many years before moving to Joplin. She had many hobbies, including gardening, painting, and enjoying all types of music. She was a lifelong fan of both the Royals and Chiefs. She was loved and admired by all who knew her.
She is survived by her son, Lyle Ren Pieratt, of San Francisco, Calif.; and all eight of her brothers and sisters, Juanita Wilkerson of Joplin, John Dale Wilkerson and wife Ruth of Kansas City, Dixie Springer and husband Leon of Joplin, Ken Wilkerson and wife Dixie of Independence, Mo., Bill Wilkerson and wife Kay of Pleasanton, Evelyn Roberts and husband Steve of Panama City Beach, Fla., Karen Stephan and husband John of Marietta, Ga., and Terry Wilkerson and wife Denise of Olathe, Kan. There are many nieces and nephews.
The Rev. Oliver W. (Bill) Hawk will conduct the memorial service at 11 a.m. Friday, May 22, at the First Baptist Church of Pleasanton in Pleasanton. The family suggests contributions to The Children’s SPOT of Saint Luke’s, which may be sent in c/o Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory P.O. Box 525, Pleasanton, KS 66075. Online condolences may be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com. Arrangements: Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel.
OBITUARIES
Larry Sumners ~ 08-16-1953 to 08-01-2022

Linn County News Published Aug. 10, 2022 Larry Sumners, age 68, of Centerville, Kan., passed away on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, at the Overland Park Regional Medical Center in Overland Park, Kan. Laurence A. Sumners was born on Aug. 16, 1953, at McPherson,... [More]
Michael Reinsch ~ 01-28-1947 to 06-22-2022

Linn County News Published Aug. 10, 2022 It is with great sadness to announce the passing of Michael Ekkehard Reinsch, a beloved brother, father, uncle and grandfather. Michael passed away on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at Augusta University Medical Center. Michael... [More]
Rosetta May Beard ~ 06-02-1923 to 08-03-2022

Linn County News Published Aug. 10, 2022 Rosetta May Beard, age 99, La Cygne, Kan., passed away Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022. Graveside funeral service will be 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 8, at the Oak Lawn Cemetery, La Cygne, Kan. Memorial contributions are suggested... [More]
More Obituaries
- Joseph Michael Dellinger 01-17-1950 to 08-20-2021
- 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
NEWS
Non-revenue neutral budgets cost county/state $20,000

Following the governor’s recent approval of legislation created to show when taxing entities are increasing mill levies, additional costs to taxpayers are coming to the forefront, despite some holding taxes to the same level using revenue neutral rates. Kansaspolicy.org... [More]
Pleasanton Council mulls enticements for restaurant

Following opening statements at Monday’s Pleasanton City Council meeting, public speaker Mike Higgins took the podium and told the council that he was talking to former Olive’s Hope building owner Brandon McGinnis concerning the sale of the building to a family that... [More]
Department heads working to keep county healthy and safe

Two of the county departments geared toward public safety are now under new direction. Missy Lancaster took over the Linn County Health Department as well as the position of Public Health Officer in November of last year and has made a few changes to the department since... [More]
More News
- Mayors, councils speak on infrastructure defunding proposal
- Mound City Council looks to add campsites to lake
- SPECIAL: Linn County Sheriff's Office seeking identification of subject
- La Cygne awards bid for settling pond project
- 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
SPORTS
Total Effect Softball ready for action

Linn County has a new competitive softball team, Total Effect Softball, which will be based out of Mound City. Jayhawk-Linn head softball coach Kris Holt started the team and will be the head coach of Total Effect. Holt had multiple reasons on why he wanted to start a competitive... [More]
Recent KDWP fishing reports

Fishing has slowed down since the last reports on June 27, but fish are still being caught and can be even better in the coming weeks with some cooler weather and more rain. All the reports were last updated on July 18. La Cygne Lake Catfish, largemouth and crappie are the... [More]
More Sports
- Hume splits home season openers
- Marais des Cygnes 4-H members compete at national judging contests
- 2021 All Linn County baseball team
- Jayhawk softball falls to Belle Plaine at State
- Briley Moore finds NFL home as undrafted free agent
- Pleasanton track competes at Jayhawk Invitational
- Pleasanton baseball starts season with a pair of walk-off thrillers against Oswego
- Prairie View, Pioneer League ponder Baldwin addition

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