William “Bill” Alfred Wolfinger Sr., of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on July 5, 2014, at 9:56 p.m. at the age of 81.
Bill is preceded in death by his father and mother, John William and Jessie Ellen.
Bill is survived by his former wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Wolfinger of Pleasanton; his sister, Mary Ellen (Gray) Cheek of Morrilton, Ark.; his children, William Wolfinger Jr. of Dallas, Texas, Deborah Callahan of Gadsden, Tenn., Diana Robison of Lenexa, Kan., and Deanna Bradley of Butler, Mo.; his grandchildren, Colin Lewis of Williston, N.D., Thomas Wolfinger of Kansas City, Mo., Amber Lewis of Bensalem, Penn., Michael Wolfinger of Piedmont, S.D., and Morgan Bradley of Butler; and a great granddaughter, Addison Wolfinger of Kansas City, Mo.
Bill was born at home near Linville, Kan., on June 14, 1933. He graduated from Mound City High School in 1951 and went on to Kansas State University. Shortly thereafter, he served his country in the United States Air Force for four years. It was during this time that he trained soldiers in Enemy Escape and Evasion tactics.
While in the Air Force, he married Elizabeth Wolfinger on June 18, 1954. After his time in the Air Force, Bill and Betty made their home in rural Pleasanton with their children.
He was a seed and chemical salesman and coached the Mound City Colts baseball team to a tournament win. Also, he worked as a farmer and stockman on the family farm until his death. Bill was a school board member of Mound City and was instrumental in the creation of the Jayhawk School District, where he also served on the board.
Over the years, Bill was involved in many organizations. He was a member of the Rising Sun Masonic Lodge in Fort Scott, Kan.; the Scottish Rite in Fort Scott; the Mirza Temple Shriners in Pittsburg, Kan.; the American Legion in Olathe, Kan., and Pittsburg; and the Moose Lodge in Topeka, Kan. He enjoyed being a part of parades as a Shriner driving his MG and occasionally dressing up as a clown for local parades. However, on any given weekend, he could be found dancing the night away. This was one of his true passions in life.
Above all else, he loved his family and was most proud of them.
A visitation service will be held on Thursday, July 10, from 5- 7 pm at Schneider Funeral Home, 816 Main Street, Pleasanton. The memorial service will be held on Friday, July 11, at 1 pm at Schneider Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children. Condolences for the family may be offered online at schneiderfunerals.com.
OBITUARIES
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]
Jean Driskell ~ 03-22-1943 to 07-18-2025

Linn County News Published July 23, 2025 Jean Driskell, age 82, formerly of La Cygne, Kan., passed away Friday, July 18, 2025. Memorial service will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home, La Cygne Chapel. Visitation... [More]
Burton Clyde Brownback ~ 05-21-1953 to 07-13-2025

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Burton Clyde Brownback, age 72, Tri-Ko resident in Osawatomie, Kan., passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025. He was born on May 21, 1953, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Clyde and Shirley Drake Brownback. He graduated from Prairie View... [More]
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- 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
- Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith ~ 11-19-1935 to 06-07-2025
- Ron Arbogast ~ 08-31-1946 to 06-05-2025
NEWS
Pleasanton PD makes drug arrest during domestic call

On July 24 officers with the Pleasanton Police Department responded to a call for an ongoing domestic issue at 605 E. 5th Street in Cabin 3 with the assistance of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office. During the ensuing investigation, it was found that the... [More]
Commissioners review departmental budgets

SEKMHC budget cut During the July 28 meeting, the Linn County Commissioners reviewed several departmental budgets. Discussions began with Linn County Sheriff James Akes. Sheriff Akes explained to commissioners that initially he had budgeted extra hours to cover... [More]
Wisdom appointed Pleasanton Fire Chief

Following the resignation of Jimmy Watts as Pleasanton Fire Chief after last week’s council meeting, the Pleasanton Council appointed Jeff Wisdom as the new chief of the city fire department. Wisdom took the podium Monday night and said he’d spoken to the fire fighters... [More]
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- Pleasanton Council cuts to get to revenue neutral
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- USD 362 files revenue-neutral exceedances
- Commissioners discuss airport future, request more information
- SPECIAL: Resurfacing on U.S. 59 in Anderson County to begin in August 4
SPORTS
Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship

Eight members of the Pleasanton Trapshooting Team traveled to Mason, Mich., last week to compete in the USA Clay Target League National Championship. Five members participated in the team event, and all eight competed individually. The team was among 264 qualified teams competing... [More]
Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest

The Blue Mound girls’ coach pitch team 1 places second at the TRL girls’ coach pitch tournament at Colony. The tournament took place from July 7 to July 9.
More Sports
- Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament
- Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship
- Gratton at Nationals
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship
- Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad
- Prairie View trapshooting competes at State
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

