Linn County News

Published June 28, 2023

 

William Michael “Bill” VanKirk, 67, died Thursday, June 22, 2023 at Olathe Hospice House. Bill was born on March 3, 1956, in Pleasanton, Kan., to Harold Leon and Christina Faye (Lloyd) VanKirk. 

He attended schools in Pleasanton and graduated from Pleasanton High School. Bill served as Linn County Under Sheriff for seven years before becoming Director of Community Corrections for the Kansas 6th Judicial District. Bill was a member of the Mine Creek Amateur Radio Club and the Eastern Kansas Peace Officers Association. He attended Mound City Christian Church. Bill was an avid gardener and enjoyed growing all types of flowers and vegetables.

On Oct. 10, 1986, Bill married Diane Stevenson. She survives of the home. Additional survivors include one son, Mike Becker; three daughters, Gretchen Van Mater, Angie Miller, and Lisa Redlin; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.  Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Robert L. VanKirk; and two sisters, Donna Hazel and Pamela Stevens.

A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, June 30, 2023, at Schneider Funeral Home & Crematory, Mound City Chapel. A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at Pleasanton Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Prescott’s Reach Out Food Pantry, in care of the funeral home, PO Box J, Mound City, Kan., 66056.

OBITUARIES

Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith ~ 11-19-1935 to 06-07-2025

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Linn County News Published July 2, 2025   Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith passed away Saturday June 7, 2025, at the Stoneybrook Retirement Community in Manhattan.  She was born on Nov. 19, 1935, in Topeka, Kan., to Neil and Gladys (Goldsmith)... [More]

Ron Arbogast ~ 08-31-1946 to 06-05-2025

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Linn County News Published July 2, 2025   Ron Arbogast, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, coach, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on June 5, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 78. Born Aug. 31, 1946, in Fort Scott, Kan.,... [More]

Richard “Dick” Smith ~ 04-18-1942 to 06-22-2025

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Linn County News Published June 25, 2025   Richard "Dick" Smith, age 83, formerly of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away in Olathe, Kan., on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Graveside Service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 27, 2025, at the Pleasanton Cemetery. Contributions... [More]

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PLEASANTON WEATHER

NEWS

NOTICE:

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Due to a scheduling conflict, the commissioners will not be meeting today, June 25th, for a second budget workshop. The meeting has been rescheduled for July 2nd. 

Tanglewood Lakes files suit against Board of County Commissioners

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Requests declaratory judgement that roads are private   The Tanglewood Lakes Owners Association, Inc. (TLOA), filed a lawsuit in Linn County District Court on June 6, 2025, against the Linn County Board of County Commissioners requesting a declaratory judgement from... [More]

Case filed alleging exploitation of minors, breach of privacy

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On June 20, following an extensive investigation by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the Linn County Attorney’s Office filed a case in district court charging Erik Hellner, a Sugar Valley Lakes resident, with six separate felonies. The case originally stems from... [More]

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SPORTS

Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship

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The Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team traveled to Wichita to compete in the Kansas Trapshooting State tournament. The tournament features more than 110 high schools and over 1,500 student athletes. Pleasanton/Jayhawk compete in the 2A competition which happened on June... [More]

Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad

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Prairie View’s head boys’ wrestling Coach Joey Ewalt does more for the sport than just coaching the Buffalos, he has made an impact on the sport as a wrestler, coach and official. Ewalt began his wrestling career at the very young age of four. His father, Mike Ewalt,... [More]

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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

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