Linn County News
Published Sept. 30, 2020
William Robert “Bill” Capehart, 89, of Raymore, Mo., was born, February 4, 1931, in La Cygne, Kan., the son of George F. and Bertha Capehart. He flew away to his home in heaven on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, at the Kansas City Hospice House.
Bill was born and raised on a farm near La Cygne and attended school there where he met his sweetheart, Marilyn Rose. They were married on June 4, 1950, and moved to Fort Hood, Texas. Bill served in the Army while Marilyn took care of the home. Their first daughter, Marcie, was born while he was stationed there.
After the Army years, the family moved to St. Louis, Mo., where he made a living working as a carpenter and built many homes in the St. Louis area. He also developed a passion for building and flying radio control airplanes. He belonged to an RC club, the “Signal Chasers”, and made many lifelong friends who shared his enjoyment. He and Marilyn welcomed their second daughter, Mindy while in St. Louis.
It wasn’t long before the family made their way back to Kansas. Bill bought the farm where he was raised and began his second career as a farmer. It was hard work and long days but he always made time for the flying he so loved. He got his private pilot license and bought an old Taylorcraft airplane. He enjoyed going up to look at his farm, the fields, and cattle. His daughter Mindy almost always went along, learning how to fly with daddy. In later years he would occasionally fly up to Independence to pick up grandson Corey to spend a few days at the farm.
Bill also enjoyed RV trips with Marilyn. They traveled to Montana, Florida, and Texas to visit family and they liked the Grand Lake area in Oklahoma.
Bill and Marilyn were long time members of the Drexel Christian Church and had many friends there.
Bill was a kind and gentle man who was blessed with many friends over the years.
“To a job well done, daddy! The final flight was a bit long and bumpy but you handled it with such determination and bravery. As you make your final ascent to heaven, enjoy the scenery. When you are at the desired altitude; throttle back, nose down, and keep even amounts of horizon under your wings. When you reach heaven, touchdown softly, you have been cleared for landing. We love you, Marcie and Mindy”
Bill was also preceded in death by his parents; his wife Marilyn; one grandson, Corey Richardson; his brothers, George, Jr., Curtis, Warren, Duane, and Larry; and one sister, Doris Jean Bowman.
He is survived by two daughters, Marcie (and Larry) Calvin of Pleasant Hill, Mo., and Mindy Capehart of Overland Park, Kan.; five grandchildren, Luke (and Jen) Calvin, Ashleigh (and Nathan) Goddard, Kyle (and Jessica) Richardson, Johnny Hix, and Abby Hix; six great-grandchildren, Grey and Reese Calvin, Cal and Chloe Goddard, and Nash and Cohen Richardson; other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, at the funeral home. Full military honors will be conducted by the United States Army and the V.F.W. Post #3118 Honor Guard.
Graveside services will be held 12 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, in the Star Valley Cemetery, La Cygne. Reverend Rick Friesen will officiate. Casket bearers are Larry Calvin, Luke Calvin, Cal Goddard, Nathan Goddard, John Hix, Johnny Hix, and Kyle Richardson.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Kansas City Hospice House and may be sent in care of the funeral home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.stanleydickeyfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements: Stanley-Dickey Funeral Home, 203 N. Armstrong St., Pleasant Hill, Mo.
OBITUARIES
Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith ~ 11-19-1935 to 06-07-2025

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

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

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]
More Obituaries
- Charles Edwin Sutterby ~ 06-20-1951 to 06-19-2025
- Windfred Allen DeMott ~ 09-15-1940 to 06-07-2025
- Maxine Breuel ~ 11-20-1926 to 06-07-2025
- Richard Paul Henderson ~ 07-26-1950 to 06-01-2025
- Rees Lyle Shattuck 08-31-1931 to 05-26-2025
- Dixie Bradley Wilkerson 10-15-1939 to 05-30-2025
- Gary Ray Johnson 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025
- Gary Ray Johnson ~ 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025
NEWS
NOTICE:

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

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

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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- La Cygne executes pool bond defeasance
- CANCELED: Statewide Purple Alert issued for missing Yates Center woman
- Parker mayor seeks affidavits to file charges
- USD 346 board learns of overpayments
- NOTICE
- Commissioners discuss estimate on overlay project
- Pleasanton council meeting heated over fire personnel interviews
- La Cygne gas customers may see rate decrease
SPORTS
Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship

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

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]
More Sports
- 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
- Prairie View track earns six medals at State
- Pleasanton’s Gratton wins two golds, sets meet record
- Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State
- School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka
- Prairie View track qualifies multiple athletes for State
OBITUARIES POLICY
• May be mailed, e-mailed, faxed or hand delivered.
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

