Sidney A. McKnight Jr.
12-20-1940 to 12-16-2019
Linn County News
Published Feb. 19, 2020
Linn County lost a true lover and preserver of the prairies with the passing of Sid McKnight Jr. on Dec. 16, 2019. Nature and the out-of-doors were just two of his many passions. For his efforts, he received the Wildlife Habitat Conservation Award in 2006. Sid had a joy for life and pursued many interests with keen focus and contagious energy.
His chosen profession was dentistry, becoming the first periodontist in Johnson County. His love for dentistry was exceeded only by the devoted care he gave his patients.
In his leisure time Sid enjoyed training his hunting dogs and taking them afield. In the summer his interests turned to fishing the waters of Lake Michigan. Sid’s love of music, especially jazz, consumed his high school and college years. He played drums in bands and ensembles. That love never died: In his early seventies he attended an adult jazz camp in Vermont just to see if he still had his “chops.” A loyal Jayhawk, he attended all the home games until mobility issues ensued. Then he took pleasure in sending friends and family to enjoy his seats in Allen Fieldhouse.
His retirement job came out of his appreciation of nature. He was invited to serve on the board of the Kansas Nature Conservancy and ultimately served as its chairman. When Sid married his high school sweetheart, Carole, in 1962, they could not have imagined creating a country home on never-plowed prairie where merely looking out the window was an adventure. As he would often say to Carole, “we are living in the Discovery Channel!” Holidays were shared there with children and grandchildren who inherited his passion for the prairie.
Sid was born in Tyler, Texas, on Dec. 20, 1940, and was just a week shy of his 79th birthday when he passed away peacefully. His Linn County friends enriched his life in so many ways. A memorial service honoring Sid’s life was held Dec. 21 in Kansas City.
OBITUARIES
Donna Lee (Bishop) Stites ~ 02-13-1941 to 03-26-2025

Linn County News Published April 2, 2025 Donna Lee (Bishop) Stites, age 84, of Mound City, Kan., passed away peacefully in her sleep March 26, 2025, at the Olathe Medical Center, after an extended illness. Born on Feb. 13, 1941, the third child of Jacob and... [More]
Frank Scott DeRemus ~ 06-21-1967 to 03-04-2025

Linn County News Published April 2, 2025 Frank Scott DeRemus age 57 of Blue Mound, Kan., passed away Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at his home in Blue Mound. Scott was born June 21, 1967, in Olathe, Kan., to Frank Fox and Sharon K. (Chadwick) DeRemus. On August 11, 1994,... [More]
Douglas Eugene Joseph ~ 08-06-1964 to 03-16-2025

Linn County News Published April 2, 2025 Douglas Eugene Joseph, 60, of Fort Scott, Kan., died Sunday, March 16, 2025, at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, Mo. Doug was born on Aug. 6, 1964, in Pittsburg, Kan., to Jean Ann Jones. He graduated from high school... [More]
More Obituaries
- Linda Sue Tyson ~ 01-24-1942 to 03-21-2025
- Brent Ross Wheeler ~ July 27, 1956 – March 22, 2025
- Alice Walker ~ 09-03-1928 to 03-20-2025
- Colton James McCammon ~ 08-26-2003 to 03-15-2025
- Kenneth Lawrence Sloan ~ 01-24-1950 to 03-11-2025
- Lois Joan Streeter ~ 11-18-1931 to 03-05-2025
- Lila R. McCarty ~ 05-21-1938 to 03-08-2025
- Norma Jean Harvey ~ 09-26-1935 to 02-21-2025
NEWS
SPECIAL: STATEHOUSE REPORTING BUDGET FOR MARCH 28, 2025

FETALPERSONHOOD – The House and Senate on Thursday passed a bill that will require child support for unborn fetuses from the date of conception as well as an income tax exemption. A conference committee report was presented for HB2062 before the... [More]
SPECIAL: U.S. 69 overlay project set to begin in Bourbon and Linn counties

Monday, March 31, the Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin resurfacing work on U.S. 69 in Bourbon and Linn counties. An overlay will be placed on the northbound lanes of U.S. 69, starting at the south U.S. 54 junction in Fort Scott and continuing... [More]
Commissioners learn of grant for planning phase on courthouse repairs

During the March 24 meeting, the Linn County Commissioners heard from Linn County Public Works Administrator Shaun West on a grant possibility for repair work to the courthouse. SEKRPC (SEK Regional Planning Commission) is willing to assist with the HPF (Historic Preservation... [More]
More News
- La Cygne accepts deed conveyance on split vote
- Commissioners hear from resident on subdivision meeting
- SPECIAL: K-52 resurfacing project will begin soon
- Linn Valley imposes moratorium on new water and sewer construction
- Wind and fire damage dots county
- County hears from Tanglewood residents during public comment
- Commissioners discuss new option for Devlin Road
- Board votes to extend Meik contract
SPORTS
2025 Boys’ Basketball All County team

The 2024-2025 high school boys’ basketball has concluded and it is time once again for the annual All County team. As usual choosing the team was tough as there were many good players this season and plenty more that showed steady progress through the season. As... [More]
2025 Girls’ Basketball All County team

High school girls’ basketball has concluded for the 2024-25 season and it’s time for the annual All County team. Like the boys’ team, and like most years, choosing players was tough. Plenty of girls from all three schools, Prairie View, Jayhawk Linn and Pleasanton,... [More]
More Sports
- A season in review: Jayhawk Linn wrestling
- A season in review: Prairie View wrestling
- Pleasanton boys’ basketball earns Sub-State runner-up
- Prairie View girls’ basketball ends season against Neodesha
- Case leads Prairie View girls’ wrestling with a second-place finish
- McCarty leads Lady Hawks with a fourth-place finish at State
- Blu-Jays win sub-state shootout
- Jayhawk boys’ wrestling sends five to State
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

