Linn County News
Published Oct. 27, 2021
Thomas (Tom) Eugene Thompson passed away on Oct. 18, 2021, at the age of 94, in his daughter’s home in Overland Park, Kan. He was a tough man who had fought and beaten cancer several times throughout his life, but this latest bout would prove to be his last. He is now at peace.
Tom was born in Linn County, Kan., on Feb. 12, 1927, to Bill and Myrtle (Wilson) Thompson. He grew up as the sole child on the family farm. He graduated high school in 1945. Upon graduation, Tom enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served briefly during World War II.
After his Navy days, Tom attended Kansas State University and graduated in 1951 with a degree in electrical engineering. Shortly after, he started work in Michigan, where he would spend most of his working life, with time in New York and Alabama in between.
He married his first wife, Marilyn, in Michigan in 1954. Together they had one daughter, Julie, in 1955. After 23 years of marriage, Tom lost Marilyn to cancer in 1977.
Tom retired from his job at Bendix in 1977 and returned home to Kansas where he spent his days hunting, tinkering, spending time with the people he loved and enjoying nature.
Tom was married a second time to his wife Alice in 2005 in Hawaii.
Tom was a shining example of everything a man can be. He was a hard worker. He was humble. He was kind. He cared deeply for his family, friends and neighbors. He was always eager to help the people in his life in any way he could. He will be fondly remembered by all who were blessed to know him.
In his final days, he shared with his family his key to such a long and happy life. He told us “If there is a trick to long life, l think it might be eat what you like, drink what you like and be stubborn.”
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Myrtle; and his wife, Marilyn.
Tom is survived by his wife, Alice; daughter, Julie and her husband James; grandchildren, Brian and his wife Marianne, Megan and her husband Daniel, and Christine and her husband Trevon; and great-grandchildren, Ashton, Camden, Liam, Adeline, Charlie and Trevon.
A visitation will be held at 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel, 219 S. Oak, Garnett, Kan. A celebration of life will follow with food and drink at the Town Hall Center, 125 W. Fifth, Garnett.
In lieu of flowers, Tom and his family ask that you please consider donating on his behalf to the American Cancer Society. Donations may be made online, by phone or mailed. https://donate.cancer.org, 1-800-227-2345, American Cancer Society Donations, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73123.
You may send condolences to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.
OBITUARIES
Jackie “Jack” Howard Shroyer ~ 01-24-1940 to 09-04-2025

Linn County News Published September 10, 2025 Jackie "Jack" Howard Shroyer, age 85 of Prescott, Kan., passed away on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. Jack was born the son of Eugene and Lillie Ruth (Blangy) Shroyer on Jan. 24, 1940, in Prescott, Kan. He... [More]
Wallace “Mack” Probasco ~ 07-05-1959 to 09-02-2025

Linn County News Published September 10, 2025 Wallace “Mack” Probasco, age 66 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away at his home on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. He was born the son of Francis Mack and Edna E. Wallace Probasco on July 5, 1959, in Fort Scott,... [More]
Martha F. Couch ~ 01-03-1929 to 07-18-2025

Linn County News Published September 10, 2025 It is with much sorrow that the family of Martha Frasier Couch, a woman of deep faith and compassion, shares the news that she passed away peacefully on July 18, 2025, just months after the passing of her husband, Keith,... [More]
More Obituaries
- George Teagarden ~ 01-30-1943 to 09-01-2025
- John Clayton Bowman ~ 02-01-1944 to 08-17-2025
- Arnold Joseph Lickteig ~ 05-16-1931 to 07-31-2025
- Joe W. Mann ~ 09-02-1951 to 07-26-2025
- 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
NEWS
SPECIAL: Mound City resident killed in Allen County crash

On Sept. 9, just after 5:30 p.m., emergency personnel were called to the scene of a two-car collision on U.S. Highway 169 just south of Humboldt, Kan., in Allen County. According to reports filed by the Kansas Highway Patrol, Morgan Wakefield of Mound City, was driving... [More]
Property taxes and how they work

In Kansas, there is a definitive process for determining what the property taxes are on any given piece of property. Did you know that according to SmartAsset.com Linn County has the second lowest property tax average in the entire state? According to information available... [More]
Pleasanton Fire Department personnel hiring questioned

What started out as a department update from Pleasanton Fire Chief Jeff Wisdom, turned into a showdown between councilmembers and the mayor in who was hired as volunteer firefighters in Pleasanton. Wisdom informed the council he was beginning training for new firefighters September... [More]
More News
- Commission ‘bares’ down to pass public nudity ban
- Paris Township voting location to move to Mound City
- USD 362 passes 2025-26 school budget
- Parker appoints police chief
- SPECIAL: Drainpipe replacement on K-31 in Linn County
- Linn County News website gets new update
- Commissioners vote 1-1 on motion to not exceed revenue neutral
- Linn Valley looks at option for fire truck purchase, new vehicles
SPORTS
Opening drive, opportunities spur 'Jays to 1st win
Start with an opening 12-play, 72-yard sustained scoring drive elapsing the game's first 6:27. Mix in heroics--first on special teams and then defensively--by sophomore Owen Miller. Top it off with touchdown passes from four-year signal-caller Kamden Staton to fellow seniors... [More]
Alvarez leads Pleasanton cross country

The Pleasanton cross country team traveled to Garnett for their first meet of the year on Sept. 4 at the Annual Jerry Howarter Invitational. The Jays had runners in both the junior high and high school races. Dominic Alvarez led the Hawks as he earned a medal and placed... [More]
Jayhawk football starts season with shutout over Central Heights

The Jayhawk Linn football team traveled to Fort Scott on Sept. 5 to host the Central Heights Vikings for their first game of the season. This was supposed to be a home game for the Hawks but had to be played at Fort Scott because the field was not ready. The game began with... [More]
More Sports
- Spradling era kicks off with oohhs and 'Oz'
- Frog gigging a new ‘old sport’
- Fishing Derby kicks off at Linn County Fair
- Linn County Farm Bureau hosts annual pedal pull
- 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
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
