William Jerome Jonas Jr. passed away Dec. 15, 2014, at his home at Fort Randall, S.D., surrounded by family. William was born May 8, 1938, to William Sr. and Lauretta (Kirwan) Jonas.
He grew up in Gregory, S.D., where he attended the Catholic School and Gregory High School. He graduated in 1956 and went on to attend the University of South Dakota at Vermillion, S.D.
He married Norma Jean Vedral Aug. 31, 1957. To this union four children were born: Danita, Denice, Julie and William III.
During the early years of their marriage William worked heavy construction and the family moved to Kansas City, Kan., Jasper, Texas, and Claremore, Okla. In 1969, the family moved to Pleasanton, Kan., where William and Norma started Landmark Surveying Co. and Jonas Vintage Auto.
In 1995, William and Norma moved to Fort Randall and took over operation of Jonas’ Eagle Roost Ranch. William enjoyed working on the ranch, restoring antique cars and spending time with his family and friends. He was very involved with youth deer hunting and had numerous youths come to the ranch for their first hunting experience.
He is survived by his children: Danita Snyder and husband Larry of Pleasanton, Kan., Denice Umbarger and husband Bruce of Pickstown, S.D., Julie Hartung and husband Dennis of Hutchinson, Kan., and William III of Independence, Mo.; and four grandchildren, Tristan Snyder, Darla Snyder, Bryce Hartung and Kenlee Jonas. Also surviving is one brother John Jonas and wife Wanda of Laurel, Neb., and their children Michael, Martin, Matthew and Cindy and their families.
He was preceded in death by his wife Norma (Vedral) and his parents William Sr. and Lauretta (Kirwan) Jonas.
Funeral services will be held Jan. 24, 2015, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Gregory, S.D., at 10 a.m. There will be a noon meal and fellowship immediately following at Mary Vale Hall.
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]
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- George Teagarden ~ 01-30-1943 to 09-01-2025
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- 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
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]
Commission ‘bares’ down to pass public nudity ban

Linn County commissioners passed a resolution banning public nudity at its Sept. 2 weekly meeting, delayed a day for the governmental Labor Day holiday. Resolution No. 2025-16, enacted on a 2-0 vote with Alison Hamilton not present, forbids nudity on public property or outside... [More]
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SPORTS
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]
Spradling era kicks off with oohhs and 'Oz'
Jason Spradling's head coaching era at Prairie View debuted with plenty of oohhs and 'Oz' Friday night. The oohhs came from an offensive running attack that amassed 612 rushing yards, all but 99 in the first half, and saw Buffalo four-year starters Parker Schwarz gain 287 yards... [More]
More Sports
- Frog gigging a new ‘old sport’
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- From the Bleachers - 719
- Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship
- Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com
