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
Jacqueline “Jackie” Whitcomb ~ 10-20-1962 to 10-29-2025
Linn County News Published November 5, 2025 Jacqueline "Jackie" Whitcomb, age 63, of Centerville, Kan., passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, at Olathe Hospice House in Olathe, Kan. She was born on Oct. 20, 1962, in Olathe, Kan., the daughter of Gene and... [More]
Jeffery Lynn Brown ~ 09-10-1958 to 10-22-2025
Linn County News Published November 5, 2025 Jeffery Lynn Brown, age 67, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, at the Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg, Kan. He was born Sept. 10, 1958, in Fulton, Kan., the son of Derald Dean... [More]
Darlene Ann Sumners ~ 05-19-1935 to 10-21-2025
Linn County News Published Oct. 29, 2025 Darlene Ann Sumners, age 90, of Centerville, Kan., passed away Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. No services are scheduled. Memorial contributions are suggested to Centerville Community Church or Shriners Children's Hospital. ... [More]
More Obituaries
- Lillie Mae Jackson ~ 04-23-1928 to 10-22-2025
- Monica Joy (Goebel) Mullins ~ 12-30-1965 to 10-20-2025
- Kelly Renee Moore ~ 08-02-1963 to 10-13-2025
- Norma Jeanne (Riley) Long ~ 08-21-1938 to 10-13-2025
- Geneva Darlene Jennings ~ 11-15-1939 to 10-12-2025
- Mary Margaret Wilson ~ 01-08-1930 to 10-13-2025
- Letha Spillman ~ 06-19-1929 to 10-02-2025
- Mary Alice Fagg ~ 07-30-1933 to 09-25-2025
NEWS
Recent soaking rains still leave ponds short of water
For commodities, beef remains high and grain prices low Linn County’s K-State Extension and Research agent says not to be fooled yet that the recent span of six days of soaking rain has solved livestock pond water concerns. Abbie Powell, Linn County agent for the Marais... [More]
Ware appointed Linn County Clerk
The Linn County Republican Central Committee met at a convention called Saturday, Nov. 4 at 4 p.m. for the purpose of appointing a new county clerk following the resignation of County Clerk Danielle Souza. Two candidates threw their names in the hat including current Bourbon... [More]
Part 3: Impersonating authorities
One of the worst scams out there that targets everyone from just out of school to the elderly is the one in which the scammers pretend to be a government employee, usually representing the IRS or some other branch of the government which collects fees and/or fines. These can... [More]
More News
- Commissioners field questions on Economic Development Board
- Pleasanton Fire Chief speaks on ISO notification
- USD 362 board accepts roofing, telephone system bids
- Pleasanton council passes motion, gives hiring power to police chief
- Former Zoning Administrator explains KORA requests
- Pleasanton Council overrides mayor veto on firefighter appointments
- Snyder appointed Linn County Register of Deeds
- Blue Mound to apply for KDHE loan for sewer project
SPORTS
Blu-Jay season ends with bi-district loss
For a town which openly celebrated All Saint’s (Hallow’s) Day on Saturday, Olpe’s high school football team, eighth-ranked in Class 1-A, put a Halloween-eve hex on Pleasanton last Thursday night, scoring five touchdowns in the game’s first 12:12 and going... [More]
Prairie View football moves to the Regional round with a big win against Burlington
The Prairie View football team started the week nine, first round of the playoffs by hosting league foe Burlington on Oct. 30. The Buffalos entered the game as the four seed in the 3A east bracket while Burlington was the 13 seed. The Bufalos defeated Burlington earlier... [More]
Jayhawk cross country competes at State
The Jayhawk Linn cross country team traveled to Rim Rock Farm in Lawrence for the 3A State cross country meet. State is always a big challenge as the best cross country athletes are there and Rim Rock is one of the more challenging courses in the State but the Hawks did... [More]
More Sports
- Prairie View cross country qualifies two for State
- Blu Jays’ Alvarez qualifies for State at Regionals
- Buffs grind on, record setting night sets scene to capture district title at Iola
- Prairie View football stays on top of their district with big win over Girard
- Prairie View volleyball finishes season at Girard
- Jays lock in league runner up spot at Uniontown
- Jayhawk football routs Southeast Cherokee
- Pleasanton volleyball goes 2-2 in final week of the regular season
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com
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