Linn County News
Published July 28, 2021
William Jackie Simons, Jr., age 73, died peacefully at home in Mound City, Kan., on July 22, 2021.
Jack was born on Feb. 20, 1948, in Fort Scott, Kan., to William Jack Simons, Sr. and Welcome Irene “Becky” Floyd Simons. The family soon relocated to Santa Paula, Calif., where they managed a lemon and avocado farm. Jack graduated from Santa Paula High School in 1966, and worked for his parents and in oil fields before moving back to Kansas in 1973.
He met Cheryl Higgins of Prescott, Kan., and they married in 1974. She survives of the home. They have three children, Jacob (Fara) of Mound City, Abigail Fern (Mark) of Pittsburg, Kan., and Joshua of Denver, Colo.; and four grandsons, Schuyler, Webb, Carson, and Beck.
Jack started work at the Rural Electric Cooperative in 1974, becoming a lineman. He worked for Westar Energy as a journeyman lineman starting in 1990, retiring in 2007.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters Connie Seabolt and Jeannie Davis; his brother Clay Simons; and his in-laws, Mick and Opal Higgins.
Before suffering a stroke in 2012, Jack lived a colorful and active life. He had endless energy to help his children, family, neighbors, and friends with any project at any time. He and Cheryl worked hard to make their rural home a gathering place for all, and he leaves behind a large and devoted group of family and friends. Jack was the life of the party, loved music and riding his motorcycle, and found humor in most things in life.
A drop-in celebration of life and visitation will be held Monday, July 26 from 4 – 6 p.m. at Schneider Funeral Home in Mound City, Kan. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Concern in Mound City, or a charity of your choice. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.
OBITUARIES
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]
Ruth Ann Antrim ~ 05-21-1951 to 07-07-2025

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Ruth Ann Antrim, formerly Hueston, passed away July 7, 2025, after bravely battling cancer for many years. Ruth Ann was 74 years old. She lived and worked in the Mound City and Fort Scott, Kan., areas her... [More]
Helen Maxine Wright ~ 05-28-1939 to 06-19-2025

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Helen Maxine Wright, age 86, formerly of Blue Mound, Kan., passed away at her home in Abbyville, Kan., on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Funeral service was held at 11 a.m., Monday, July 7, 2025, at the Community... [More]
More Obituaries
- Kelly Kehl ~ 03-25-1938 to 06-28-2025
- 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
- Richard “Dick” Smith ~ 04-18-1942 to 06-22-2025
- Charles Edwin Sutterby ~ 06-20-1951 to 06-19-2025
NEWS
SPECIAL: Benefits question an issue for county employees

A poll sent to Linn County employees mid-week asking which benefit they would prefer to lose has created a spark of animosity among those who received it. One person anonymously shared it to a Mound City-oriented Facebook page as a screen shot along with their comments highlighting... [More]
Commissioners discuss various budgets

SEKMHC in mix At the end of a meeting attended by two of the three commissioners, a discussion was held regarding several of the proposed budgets for next year. Commissioners Alison Hamilton and Jim Johnson first discussed the proposed budget for Southeast Kansas Mental Health.... [More]
City learns of fire gear condition

Pleasanton Fire Department ISO inspection July 16 Following the appointment of new Fire Chief Jimmy Watts as Pleasanton Fire Chief, the Pleasanton Council heard of the condition of bunker gear Monday night at their bi-weekly meeting. Watts reported the truck ran with the... [More]
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- La Cygne leaders discuss food truck follow-up
- special: SCOTUS agrees to hear Women's Sports Case
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- NOTICE:
- Pleasanton awarded $617,000 KDOT street grant
- Commissioners discuss development zoning appeals
- Questions on employee emails leads to lengthy discussion
- NOTICE:
SPORTS
Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament

The team called Nobodys wins the Blue Mound 4th of July co-ed softball tournament on July 5. This year the tournament consisted of eight teams. The Nobodys is Keith Morrell’s team and has been a part of the softball tournament since it started three years ago.
Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship

The Pleasanton 12-14 baseball team wins their league tournament on June 30 to July 1. Pleasanton hosted the tournament and won in the championship against La Cygne 11-7.
More Sports
- 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
- Pleasanton and Jayhawk baseball on the 2025 All TRL team
- Jayhawk Linn softball has three All TRL unanimous selections
- Trenton Broyles leads Hawks at State track
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

