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
Morgan Leon Wakefield ~ 05-08-1996 to 09-09-2025

Linn County News Published September 17, 2025 Morgan Leon Wakefield was called home to heaven on September 9, 2025. Morgan was born May 8, 1996, in Olathe, Kan., to Shane and Debbie (Snyder) Wakefield of Mound City, Kan. From an early age, he showed a... [More]
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]
More Obituaries
- Martha F. Couch ~ 01-03-1929 to 07-18-2025
- 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
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]
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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'
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- From the Bleachers - 719
- Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com
