Updated Obituary - Randy Pitts

Randy Pitts, age 67 of Butler, MO passed away on Sunday, June 15th. Randy was born March 4, 1958 in Belton, MO to Frances and Romulus M. Pitts. 

The family moved to Butler, MO when Randy was a young man. Butler quickly became home and the place where the Pitts family built many different businesses. In 1976, Romulus, Frances, Randy, and his brother Steve purchased the Missouri Farm Loan Company and Pitts Realty was established. In Randy’s younger years he developed an avid interest and talent in regards to Abstract Title, becoming quite the town historian.

 Randy was a man of many talents, he worked as a loan officer and spent a majority of his life as a manager of properties and local realtor alongside his brother and best friend, Steve, building the Pitts Realty agency. Randy’s hobbies outside of work, included more work, singing, cooking, giving his brother a hard time, talking, and building an awesome collection of everything. Randy was a friend to everyone and prided himself on building strong community friendships. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Romulus and Fran and several close friends and family. Randy is survived by his brother Steven C. Pitts, his significant other, Lynn Baker, both of Butler. One niece, Cassandra Pitts of Nevada, a nephew, Cody Pitts and wife, Kylee of Bella Vista, Arkansas, two great nephews, Nico and Huxton, and three great nieces, Haizlee, Hollstyn, and Haddy. Randy also was lovingly surrounded by four bonus nephews, Mitch, Matt, Mikeal, and Marc Baker, and their families.

 A celebration of Life will be announced and held in the future. Cremation has been requested and completed by Complete Cremation at Stonegate Crematorium of Harrisonville.

Four more Quilts of Valor presented

4 more Quilts of Valor were presented today at the monthly veterans breakfast sponsored by Good Shepherd Hospice. Recipients today were  Ed Yoder, Charles Dyche, Tim Hummel, Lance McClymound.

The QOV program is locally sponsored by Rocking Chair Quilts of Butler and donations are needed to keep the program moving forward. To learn more or donate, call 660-200-2226 or stop by the shop on the east side of the Butler square.

All local veterans are invited to attend the breakfast held on the third Friday of each month at Happy Hill Church in Butler.

Cass County deputies take 2 into custody following traffic stop

On 06/19/2025 just after 1 p.m., deputies with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a vehicle with stolen license plates near North Scott Ave. and 155th St. in Belton.

Moments before, the Belton Missouri Police Department pulled the driver of the vehicle over and had him in custody. However, the passenger took control of the car as the officer detained the driver.

The driver’s rear tire was flat since the Belton Police Department successfully deployed a tire deflation device.

She drove northbound on I-49 at the 155th St. exit, then exited at 140th St. in Grandview.

Eventually, she got out of the vehicle at 136th St. and Cambridge Ave. in Grandview.

She was located shortly after by a Cass County Sheriff’s deputy and Grandview, MO Police Department officer.

She has since been identified as 39-year-old Victoria Willis of Grandview.

Willis has been charged with Aggravated Fleeing a Stop or Detention, which is a felony. She’s also been charged with Operating a Vehicle in a Careless or Imprudent Manner, which is a misdemeanor.

Her bond is set at $25,000 cash only.

The initial driver of the vehicle has been identified as 28-year-old Devin Lawrence of Lowry City, Missouri.

Lawrence has been charged with First Degree Tampering with a Motor Vehicle, which is a felony.

His bond is set at $10,000 cash only.

Both Willis and Lawrence are currently in the Cass County Jail.

Weekly report from the Henry County Sheriff's Office

Dates: June 13, 2025 – June 19, 2025

Sheriff Aaron Brown reports the following arrests and incidents for the week:

• June 13, 2025 – Warrant:

Deputy Wyatt arrested Ky Ron Wilson, age 18, of Clinton at the courthouse on Henry County felony warrants for domestic assault and resisting arrest.

• June 13, 2025 – Warrant:

Deputy Clenin conducted a traffic stop in the Windsor area that resulted in the arrest of Elizabeth Turner, age 50, of Windsor on a Clay County felony warrant for non-support.

• June 15, 2025 – Driving While Intoxicated:

Deputy Douglas conducted a traffic stop in the Windsor area that resulted in the arrest of Josie Gibbs, age 26, of Slater for driving while intoxicated.

• June 16, 2025 – Warrant:

Sgt. Richardson arrested James Moore, age 39, of Kansas City at the courthouse on a Henry County felony warrant for resisting arrest and possession of a controlled substance.

• June 16, 2025 – Warrant:

Sgt. Richardson arrested Justin Cooper, age 28, of Clinton at the courthouse on a Henry County felony warrant for DWI and resisting arrest.

• June 17, 2025 – Murder 1st Degree:

Captain Hills and Deputy Saulters conducted a follow-up investigation in the Benton County area. With the assistance of Benton County deputies, Harold James, age 75, of Deepwater, was arrested on a 24-hour investigative hold for murder 1st degree. A no bond warrant was later issued for this incident for Murder 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action.

• June 17, 2025 – Warrant:

Deputy McQueen conducted a follow-up investigation in the Windsor area and arrested Claudine Cozine, age 41, of Windsor on a Henry County warrant.

• June 19, 2025 – Driving While Suspended/Revoked:

Deputy Murphy conducted a traffic stop in the Windsor area that resulted in the arrest of Zachary Wilton, age 21, of Windsor for driving while suspended/revoked.

All individuals arrested are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The above arrests are allegations at this time.

For additional information or to provide tips, contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at (660) 885-5587.

Bates County Assessor mailing notices this week

 Change notices were mailed out this week by the Assessor notifying citizens that their assessed value raised and if their taxes are going to raise. We have received several phone calls today asking why their values raised. You will need to contact the Assessor 660-679-3157 to ask questions regarding your valuation and to have an informal hearing with him. If the Assessor did not resolve your problem you can then contact our office at 660-679-3371 to make an appointment to go in front of the Board of Equalization that will be held on July 21st. You must make your appointment by July 14th.

Obituary - Robert Lyle (Bob) Bauer

Robert Lyle (Bob) Bauer, eldest son of Walter Bauer and Ruth Evelyn Propeck, was born April 27, 1949, and passed away June 16, 2025.

Bob grew up in Montrose, Missouri, and attended St. Mary’s Elementary School and Montrose High School. After high school, he attended Central Missouri State University and was a walk-on with the track team. After college, he married Ann Tindall on May 23, 1970, at Immaculate Conception Church in Montrose, Missouri. From this union, two daughters were born, Amy and Rebecca. Bob’s employment included the Katy Railroad in Montrose, Missouri, the drilling crew traveling for Peabody Coal Mine, and Peabody Power Mine in Montrose, Missouri. In 1981, the family relocated to Platte City, Missouri, where Bob began working at Kansas City Power & Light at the Iatan Generating Station in Weston, Missouri. In 1989, Bob’s loving wife, Ann, passed due to a long battle with cancer. Eighteen years later, Bob married his friend and co-worker, Cathy Green. Bob finished his career of 27 years at Kansas City Power & Light in 2007.

Bob’s special interests included spending time with family, classic cars, racing, the Kansas City Royals, the Kansas City Chiefs, traveling, fishing, boating, and camping. Bob never met a stranger, only a friend he’d never met before. He showed kindness to all people.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Evelyn; and his wife, Ann.

He is survived by his wife, Cathy, of the home; his daughters: Amy Dymond (Neil) and grandchildren Colin and Cooper of Kansas City, Missouri, and Rebecca Bauer of New Market, Missouri; sister Mary Harris (Bill) of Montrose, Missouri; brother Rick Bauer (Joanne) of Montrose, Missouri; brother Wally Bauer (Nancy) of Urich, Missouri; and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.

The family suggests memorial donations be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Montrose, Missouri. Memorials may also be left at Hill & Son Funeral Home in Appleton City, Missouri.

Obituary - Dorothy Dean Burke

Dorothy Dean Burke age 92 of Harrisonville, Missouri departed this life Thursday, June 19, 2025 at her home in Harrisonville, Missouri. 

Cremation with a Celebration of Life Visitation will be held 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 27, 2025 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri. 

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Croix Hospice and send in care to Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701. 

A complete obituary will be posted once that information becomes available. 

Obituary - Tammy Sue Foster

Tammy Sue Foster was born September 25, 1964 and departed this life Monday, June 16, 2025 at her home in Garden City, Missouri at the age of 60.

Tammy graduated from Archie High School and soon after married Blaine Foster on June 14, 1987, celebrating 38 years of marriage together. Tammy was a stay at home mom for their two children, Jordan and Megan Foster. She loved to spend time at the lake with her family and friends, and especially enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren grow.

She is preceded in death by her parents-in-law Marvin and Kay Foster and her nephew JJ. She is survived by her husband Blaine Foster, parents Ronnie and Libbie Longacre, daughter Megan Foster, son Jordan Foster (Kesha Peek), brother Kevin Longacre, sister Kelly (Daniel) Meissen, brother-in-law Troy Foster, Jerry (Georgann) Foster, Grandchildren Liberty, Justice, and Jordan Foster, granddog Dolly Foster, four nephews, four nieces, and several great nieces and nephews.