Linn County News
Published July 15, 2020
Richard “Dick” Read was born on March 28, 1929, in Hatcher Hospital in Wellington, Kan., and died on July 3, 2020, at Foxwood Springs, Belton, Mo. His parents were Richard Calvin Read and Beulah Mae (Wilson) Read. He graduated from Wellington Jr.-Sr. High School in May of 1947. On June 4, 1947, Richard enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force. Later that year he became a member of the U.S. Air Force and served until his retirement at the rank of chief master sergeant on Sept. 1, 1969. During that time, he saw service in Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines and Japan and throughout the U.S. He was awarded the AF Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, AF Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters and 12 other medals and ribbons.
After retirement he spent several years pursuing a variety of interests: vice president and factory manager of Hi Line Plastics in Olathe, real estate sales in Kansas and Missouri, vice president and loan officer at First State Bank, Insurance Office Manager at First State Bank, locksmith in Pleasanton, and Linn County Clerk for four years. He spent 22 years as a volunteer reserve deputy sheriff in Linn County doing prisoner transport, fairground security, county patrol and various other duties. He also served for 21 years as municipal court judge for Pleasanton, Linn Valley, Prescott and Mound City.
Richard was a member of the VFW and served at the post, district, state, and national level. He was a member of Order of DeMolay, Past Patron of Eastern Star, Blue Lodge Masons (50 plus years) and Scottish Rite Masons (50 plus years), and was an advisor to the Rainbow Girls in Machias, Maine, for a time. For many years he was active in the Lions Club and National Rifle Association. He was a charter member of the Air Force Sergeants Association and a member of the pistol team in North Bend, Ore., and Clark Air Base, Philippines. He loved camping, working in his shop and telling stories about all his life’s adventures.
He married Mary LaWanda Johnson on Sept. 16, 1953, and is survived by her (Foxwood Springs, Belton) along with daughter Mary Rhodes of Grandview, Mo.; and son-in-law Jim Rhodes and grandson Joshua Rhodes and family of Lee’s Summit, Mo. He was preceded in death by granddaughter Jenna Rhodes of Little Rock, Ark.
Family requests that in lieu of flowers or cards that donations be made to the Jenna Rhodes Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of Grandview Education Foundation. Donations can be mailed to Grandview Education Foundation, Box 546, Grandview, Mo. 64030.
OBITUARIES
David Howard McNabb, Ph.D. ~ 06-04-1947 to 05-11-2024
Linn County News Published May 15, 2024 David Howard McNabb, 76, passed away May 11, 2024 at home in Edmonton, Alberta Canada. The son of a farmer, Dave was born June 4, 1947, to Henry and Alice (Jackson) McNabb at Pleasanton. Education and research were always... [More]
Marci Ann Betts ~ 08-06-1973 to 05-09-2024
Linn County News Published May 15, 2024 Marci Ann Betts, age 50, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Thursday, May 9, 2024. She was born on Aug. 6, 1973, in Kansas City, Mo. Marci loved her grandkids and enjoyed spending time with them. She enjoyed being outdoors. She... [More]
Randall Jay “Randy” Crisler ~ 10-03-1961 to 05-09-2024
Linn County News Published May 15, 2024 Randall Jay “Randy” Crisler age 62 of Lane, Kan., died Thursday May 9, 2024, at Olathe Medical Center. Randy was born Oct. 03, 1961, in North Kansas City, Mo. He was the eldest of two, born to Larry L. and Janet... [More]
More Obituaries
- Clarence Lee Miller ~ 08-07-1962 to 05-08-2024
- Ruby M. Nielson ~ 01-21-1932 to 04-27-2024
- Patty Conklin ~ 08-31-1932 to 04-26-2024
- Robert “Bob” Eugene Markley ~ 04-11-1936 to 04-15-2024
- Ronald Joe Smith ~ 05-10-1944 to 04-11-2024
- Mary Tinsley ~ 12-15-1935 to 04-09-2024
- Frederick John “Fritz” Johanning, Jr. ~ 08-10-1948 to 03-26-2024
- Doris Maxine Basore ~ 01-02-1920 to 03-10-2024
NEWS
Commissioners hear engineer on Hell’s Bend Bridge
Motion to accept grant funds fails for lack of second Linn County Public Works Administrator Shawn West spoke to Commissioners again this week on the Hell’s Bend bridge project, northwest of La Cygne, noting that a decision needed to be made that day as it was... [More]
Pleasanton pound pups get new kennels
After a warning from the state concerning the condition of Pleasanton’s animal shelter, the city and STARS faculty and students joined forces to create a safer, cleaner environment for dogs held by the city. The new kennels were constructed by STARS welding, construction... [More]
Pleasanton discusses Kansas Police & Fire Pension membership
While trying to hire more police officers, the Pleasanton Council met with KPERS representative Paige Ashley to discuss enrolling the city in Kansas Police and Fire Pension System (KP&F). Ashley explained that the KP&F system is two-tiered as police officers and firemen... [More]
More News
- Commissioners hear reports on Hell’s Bend Bridge
- La Cygne Fire Station ribbon cutting held
- Evergy reps speak about bridges at commissioners’ meeting
- Special: U.S. 69 resurfacing project starts this week
- Special: Governor issues State of Disaster Emergency proclamation for approaching severe weather
- Commissioners hear damage report, declare county as state, local disaster site
- Mayor vetoes vacating 7th Street off of Main
- USD 362 to wait on admin addition
SPORTS
Jayhawk Linn track wins Three Rivers League meet
The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to Northeast Arma on May 9 to compete in the Three Rivers League meet. The Hawks were the class of the Three Rivers as both the boys and girls placed first at the meet. The girls placed first with a score of 121 while the boys placed first... [More]
Pleasanton baseball falls in Regional semifinal
The Pleasanton baseball team entered the Central Heights 2-1A Regional tournament as a three seed. The Jays hosted the six seed Jayhawk Linn in their first game on May 8 and won 7-5. The next game was at Central Heights on May 13 where they faced the two seed Crest. This is where... [More]
More Sports
- Jayhawk and Pleasanton baseball split in double header
- Prairie View softball goes 4-0 against Osawatomie and Girard
- Jayhawk track has a strong performance at home invitational
- Prairie View track takes top two places at Jayhawk
- Pleasanton track has a school record mark set at Jayhawk Invitational
- Prairie View softball goes 4-2 in busy week
- Pleasanton baseball sweeps St. Paul and Oswego
- Jayhawk baseball splits against Southeast Cherokee
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