Linn County News
Published Oct. 17, 2018
Steven Lynn “Pappa” Catron, age 64, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on Monday, Oct. 8, 2018, at St. Luke’s on the Plaza. He was born on May 1, 1954, in Kansas City, Kan., the son of Carl Gene and Opal Venita Burnett Catron.
In his 64 short years of living and loving, Steve was a man of many words and friends. Steve was always a sociable man. In his eyes, a stranger was just a friend he hadn’t met yet. Steve had worked as a tow truck driver and then changed his occupation to mechanic. He worked on everything from cars to semi-trucks and forklifts. He was a mechanic who could hear and fix anything.
On April 2, 1977, he married his childhood friend, Tammy Nicholas. Together they began their 41-year journey, embarking on many adventures along the way. In 1989 the young couple picked up and moved to Pleasanton, in hopes to raise their girls in a safe community. What they found in Pleasanton was a full and happy life, with community members that soon became their second family.
Later Steve began working for the county, where he enjoyed meeting more of the locals. Steve and these new friends began to build and drive race cars. Although this new hobby was not profitable, it was a thrilling adventure that Steve carried with him even after his racing days came to an end.
Steve and Tammy loved each little journey that life threw at them. When asked to talk about Steve, Tammy reminisces about their many motorcycle rides, always taking the path less traveled. They loved taking family vacations and spending holidays with their girls. He also cherished going to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where he was a member.
Elaine treasures the memories of her and her father laughing together as they pranked others using Alexa. Sabrina fondly remembers her dad spending hours teaching her how to build the motor of her first vehicle. Last but not least, Stephanie remembers her father putting his old blue truck in the ditch when he was turning a corner in the snow, telling her “I just wanted to show you what not to do when driving in the snow.”
One of Steve’s greatest loves was being able to spend time with his grandchildren, such as building the rat rod, cruising around town, teaching them how to weld, taking road trips with them, and even teaching them how to herd horses with his truck.
Steve is survived by his wife Tammy; three daughters, Elaine Shepherd and husband Nick, Sabrina Terry and husband Dwight, and Stephanie Smith and husband Tim; a brother, Rickie Catron and wife Ann; two sisters, Brenda James and husband Kevin, and Debra Stroble and husband Roy; nine grandchildren, Krista Bradley, Nicholas Shepherd and fiance Kirsti, Austin and Coltin Shepherd, Aubry, Shaylee and Blaiton Terry, and Phillip and Piper Smith; and two great grandchildren, Cohen and Kannon.
If there is one thing to know about Steve, it is that he cherished his family and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mound City, Kan. Burial was in the Hume Cemetery. The rosary was prayed prior to visitation on Oct. 11.
Contributions are suggested to Linn County Care to Share. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.
OBITUARIES
Kelly Renee Moore ~ 08-02-1963 to 10-13-2025

Linn County News Published October 22, 2025 Kelly Renee Moore, age 62 Paola, Kan., passed away at her home on Oct. 13, 2025. She was born the daughter of Ernest DeWayne and Neva Stillwagon O’Dell on Aug. 2, 1963, in La Mesa, Calif. Kelly loved... [More]
Norma Jeanne (Riley) Long ~ 08-21-1938 to 10-13-2025

Linn County News Published October 22, 2025 Norma Jeanne (Riley) Long, age 87, of La Cygne, Kan., passed away Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, at Vintage Park in Osawatomie, Kan., surrounded by family. Norma was born on Aug. 21, 1938, in Liberal, Kan., to Frederick and... [More]
Geneva Darlene Jennings ~ 11-15-1939 to 10-12-2025

Linn County News Published October 15, 2025 Geneva Darlene Jennings, age 85, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. She was born on Nov. 15, 1939, at Trading Post, Kan., the daughter of Charles and Daisy Rittinghouse Purdy. She graduated from Pleasanton High... [More]
More Obituaries
- Mary Margaret Wilson ~ 01-08-1930 to 10-13-2025
- Letha Spillman ~ 06-19-1929 to 10-02-2025
- Mary Alice Fagg ~ 07-30-1933 to 09-25-2025
- John T. Miles ~ 01-29-1960 to 05-01-2025
- Paul David Hamilton ~ 11-07-1950 to 09-23-2025
- Lora Lynn West ~ 10-22-1959 to 09-24-2025
- Lois Ann Simons ~ 11-12-1937 to 09-27-2025
- Betty Joan Haupt ~ 10-03-1931 to 09-29-2025
NEWS
Former Zoning Administrator explains KORA requests

During the weekly meeting on Monday, Oct. 20, the Linn County Commissioners heard from former county employee Darin Wilson who served previously as the Planning and Zoning Administrator. Wilson told commissioners that the KORA (Kansas Open Records Act) requests he had made were... [More]
Pleasanton Council overrides mayor veto on firefighter appointments

The Pleasanton Council met at their regularly scheduled meeting Monday and Councilman Aaron Portmann immediately read a prepared statement concerning Ordinance 2065 that Mayor Mathew Young vetoed that tried to take appointment of firefighters from the mayor and put it on the... [More]
Snyder appointed Linn County Register of Deeds

Following the retirement of long-time Linn County Register of Deeds Kristy Schmitz, the Linn County Republican Central Committee held a convention Sunday to appoint a new Register of Deeds. Central Committee Chair Becky Johnson held the role call of committee people and 20... [More]
More News
- Blue Mound to apply for KDHE loan for sewer project
- Souza resigns county clerk post
- Farmers State Bank under new ownership
- Linn Valley council updated on water, lagoon projects
- Suit filed in Sunshine Meadows building permit case
- Pleasanton demos asphalt zipper for street repair
- La Cygne awards lift station bid
- Appraiser’s office announces completion of review
SPORTS
Prairie View football stays on top of their district with big win over Girard

The Prairie View Buffalos are in 3A District 2 and currently hold the number one seed in that district. The Buffalos 49-20 win over Girard gave them a great chance to be District champions. This week the Buffalos travel to Iola for their final district game and will seal the... [More]
Prairie View volleyball finishes season at Girard

The Prairie View volleyball team finished their regular season games at Iola this past week as they had a Pioneer League triangular against Iola and Osawatomie. They were in the 3A Regional quad at Girard on Oct. 20 and finished their season there going 1-2. To see the full... [More]
Jays lock in league runner up spot at Uniontown

Just as the week before, Pleasanton turned first-half takeaways into touchdowns and won at Uniontown last Friday night, 45-12, in a Three Rivers League and Class 1-A, District 1 matchup. The win assures the Blu-Jays of at least their third consecutive second-place finish in... [More]
More Sports
- Jayhawk football routs Southeast Cherokee
- Pleasanton volleyball goes 2-2 in final week of the regular season
- Schneider makes State for Hawks in girls’ golf
- Wade and Britz advance to State for the Buffalos
- Blu-Jays convert takeaways into Homecoming win
- Lady Jays host league triangular and competes at Uniontown
- Jayhawk volleyball has a busy successful week
- Jayhawk football wins thriller over Pleasanton on Homecoming
OBITUARIES POLICY
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com
