Obituary - Leota (Nolte) Rumans

Leota (Nolte) Rumans, 88, passed away Saturday, September 14, 2024 at her College View Manor residence in Joplin, Missouri. Leota was born November 30, 1935 in a farmhouse about 8 miles south of Centralia, Missouri to Julius Heinrich Georg Nolte and Electra (Edwards) Nolte. She graduated from Centralia High School in 1953 and then moved to Columbia, Missouri to work for State Farm Insurance. In the fall of 1956, she met the love of her life, Wayne Williams Rumans, and they were married August 10, 1957. They were inseparable for 66 years until his recent passing.

Leota was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She stayed at home to raise her two sons, Scott and Todd, until they began school. As her husband’s job changed, she continued to help support the family wherever they lived, employed as a receptionist, bookkeeper, or office clerk. She retired from Crane Plumbing in Nevada, Missouri after working there for 26 years. She attended Missouri Southern State College and was just one art class short of an associate’s degree. While in Missouri, she gave her love and support to her two granddaughters, Allison and Amy. She later moved with her husband to Arkansas to love and support her grandson, Zach, and her youngest granddaughter, Lainey. Her great grandchildren were also her joy and they were blessed with her love. Leota was a faithful Christian, worshipping with the Church of Christ. She loved studying the Bible and generously supplied many Bibles to those without. Her heart was pure and kind, wanting to help whenever she could. She was athletic and enjoyed playing softball and tennis. Her tennis matches against Wayne were classic and at times probably tested their love. Her competitive spirit showed, playing a mean game of Canasta and Skip-Bo as well. She and Wayne enjoyed traveling, seeing all 50 states (yes, driving on the edge counts), but she especially enjoyed the many trips to the lake to spend the day in the boat while Wayne fished.

Leota was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Marvin Nolte, her sister, Evelyn Robertson, and her husband. She is survived by two sons; Scott William Rumans (Carion) of Milo, Missouri and Dr. Todd Rumans (Laura) of Batesville, Arkansas; four grandchildren; Allison Hibbitts (Jared), Amy Rumans, Zach Rumans (Layla), and Lainey Webb (Corley); twelve great-grandchildren; Jenna, Jacob, Dani, Alex, Hailey, Dillinger, Charlie, Greyson, Farrah, Wilder, Smiley, and Clementine, as well as beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.

Pallbearers will be her grandchildren.

Funeral services, Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 2:00PM at Nevada Church of Christ in Nevada, Missouri with the minister Dick Harris officiating. Visitation will be held from 1:00PM until 2:00PM prior to the service.

Burial at Sheldon Cemetery in Sheldon, Missouri immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fairhaven Children’s Home, 3132 N Fairhaven Loop, Strafford, MO 65757 or Paragould Children’s Home, 5515 Walcott Rd, Paragould, AR 72450.

Charges filed in Belton

A coordinated team effort by the Belton Missouri Police Department, the U.S. Postal Inspectors, Homeland Security, and the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol resulted in a search warrant and the arrest of Dylan M. Cupples, a 26-year-old male residing in Belton.

On Sunday, September 15, 2024, the Belton Criminal Investigations Unit and the Belton PD Special Response Team executed a search warrant and took Cupples into custody. During this search warrant, officers seized anything in the residence that contributed to the possession, trafficking, or procurement of illegal drugs. This included computers, laptops, tablets, and phones, as well as firearms and modified firearms.

The Criminal Investigations Division submitted a case file along with a probable cause statement to the Cass County Prosecutor’s Office that resulted in charges filed in the 17th Judicial Circuit of Cass County, Missouri. A warrant was issued and signed by Associate Circuit Judge Derek Spencer, charging

Mr. Dylan M. Cupples with the following:
* Deliver Controlled Substance Except 35 Grams Or Less Of Marijuana or Synthetic Cannabinoid
* Possession Of Controlled Substance
* Unlawful Use of Weapon - Subsection 11 - Possess Weapon And A Felony Controlled Substance
* Unlawful Use Of Weapon - Subsection 11 - Possess Weapon And A Felony Controlled Substance

Cupples is currently being held on a $75,000 cash-only bond. It is important to note that the charges against Cupples are accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty or pleads guilty.

Update: Victims name released in shooting in rural Butler

On Thursday evening 9/12/2024 the Bates County Sheriff's Office responded to a shooting on NE CO RD 2504 just outside the city limits of Butler. The initial details of that incident are well covered in a prior press release from the Sheriff's Office.

As family has now been duly notified, the decedent is identified as Wesley Arron Cobbs, 43. 

Mr. Cobbs' most recent address of record is Porter, Texas; however, it is believed he has resided in Bates County recently. A complete investigation is ongoing.

Most respectfully,
Greg D. Mullinax
Bates County Coroner

Obituary - Terri Jo Hunt

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Terri (Hamilton) Hunt on September 15, 2024, after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer that unfortunately spread to her brain. She passed away at the age of 64, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and cherished memories.

Terri was born in Great Bend, Kansas on December 23, 1959. Her family moved to Nevada, Missouri in 1969. Terri attended school in Nevada and went on to build a life filled with hard work, dedication, and passion.

Throughout her life, Terri was a devoted mother, and friend. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Terri's entrepreneurial spirit led her to own and operate her own business, "Terri's Tan-N-Tone," where she helped many achieve their health and wellness goals. She also worked in healthcare, providing compassionate care to those in need, as well as 3M and Walmart, where her strong work ethic and dedication earned her respect and admiration from colleagues and customers alike.

Terri is survived by her three loving daughters: Heather Davis (and significant other Marcus Brown) of Mulberry, Kansas; Shauna Burdick (and husband Butch) of Sheldon, Missouri; Tiffany Willers (and significant other, Brian Mart) of El Dorado Springs, Missouri. Her daughters were her pride and joy, and she took great pride in their accomplishments and individuality.

Terri's love and legacy extend to her grandchildren, who brought immense joy to her life: Sandra Sims (and Austin) of Dothan, Alabama; Clayton Bammer of Franklin, Kansas; Jasper Atchison and Kenneth Atchison of Mulberry, Kansas; Dante Goforth and Dominic Goforth of Lamar, Missouri; Kylie Bryant of Lamar, Missouri. As well as her great-grandchildren, who were the apples of her eye: Maiya Sims; Amira Sims; Addilyn Goforth; Hazley Goforth and Blakely Bammer. Terri is also survived by her siblings: Kathy Spann (Husband Rudy) Branson, MO and Brother David Hamilton Sheldon, MO which helped care for her.


Terri was preceded in death by her loving parents, Harry and Dorothy Hamilton, and two beloved grandsons, Kyron Lee Atchison and Tanner Bryant. While their passing left a void in her life, her love for them will endure forever.

Shauna and Tiffany would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to: Rudy and Kathy Spann for their unwavering support, to Dr. Dalia and his compassionate team at Joplin Mercy Oncology, and to Hospice Compassus in Lamar, Missouri, for their exceptional care and kindness. Your generosity and thoughtfulness are a testament to the love and impact Terri had on those around her.

In lieu of flowers, Terri’s Daughters humbly request donations to support their mother's final burial expenses, as she did not have final expense coverage. Donations can be made directly to Ferry's Funeral Home c/o Terri Hunt or through designated donation accounts on Facebook.

Visitation will be held from 6-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at Newton Burial Park in Nevada with Father Peter Savidge officiating.

Memorials are suggested to the family c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

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Accident in rural Henry County

On Sunday September 15th around 7:40 p.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Henry County along with the Henry County Sheriff's Deputies responded to an accident on County Road SW 401 at County Road SW 700.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the southbound 2012 Chevrolet driven by a 19 year old Xaindier A. Stuart of Deepwater, Missouri struck a mule in the roadway being ridden by a 64 year old Marshall Landes of Deepwater, Missouri.

Mr. Landes sustained minor injuries and was transported to Golden Valley Memorial Hospital for treatment.

View crash report below:
https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=240474876

Obituary - Colee William Miller

Colee William Miller, age 38, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, September 15, 2024, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. He was born May 29, 1986, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Douglas William Miller and Tammy Sue Marsh Miller.

Colee attended school in Ft. Scott and graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 2004. As a child, Colee attended the Grace Baptist Tabernacle with his great-grandmother, Irene Baysinger. He also was active with the AWANA program at the Bethel Community Church. After graduation, Colee worked for Klein Products. He later owned and operated his own business D & C Sanitation and also helped with Miller’s Mowing.

Colee was naturally gifted when it came to technology and electronics. He was often called on by friends and family whenever they needed some “tech-support.” Growing up, Colee enjoyed spending time with his friends whether it be cruising, hunting or fishing or going to concerts. He was given the nickname, Lolo, by his cousin, Brynlee. Colee was always the life of the party. He will be remembered for his quick wit and lively sense of humor; every family needs a Colee! Colee dedicated his time to making memories with his son, Rivver. Together, they enjoyed many hours riding the side by side, spending time outdoors and at the arcade. Colee will be lovingly missed by his family and friends.

Survivors include his parents, Doug and Tammy Miller and his son, Rivver, all of Ft. Scott and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Colee was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frank and Laura Miller and Donnie and Barbara Marsh as well as his great-grandmother, Irene Baysinger who took such good care of him as a child.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday, September 20th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Juvenile arrested after school threat in Benton County

On September 16, 2024, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office was notified of an implied threat of a shooting during the upcoming homecoming parade. 

Upon receiving this information, Benton County Deputies took immediate action by notifying the School Resource Officers, the Warsaw Police Chief, and launching a thorough investigation. A juvenile suspect was quickly identified, and after interviewing several individuals, probable cause was established. 

The suspect was promptly located and taken into custody. Due to the juvenile’s age and the ongoing nature of the investigation, specific details and names are being withheld at this time.

We want to emphasize the importance of the swift actions taken by other juveniles who were witness to this situation. They promptly alerted their parents, who then contacted law enforcement. These individuals are to be commended for their quick thinking and willingness to "See Something, Say Something," helping prevent a potentially dangerous situation.

It's crucial to remind everyone that even when statements are made in jest or are intended for a small group of friends, all it takes is for one person to feel uncomfortable and report it. This can lead to a very serious investigation because law enforcement cannot assume that any threat, implied or otherwise, is not real. The safety of our community is always our top priority, and every threat must be treated with the highest level of concern and diligence.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office always takes threats of a shooting with the utmost seriousness due to the immediate danger they pose to public safety and the potential for devastating harm. Every threat, whether direct or implied, carries with it the possibility of significant violence and loss of life, and as such, law enforcement's duty is to act swiftly and decisively. In Missouri, under the Revised Statutes of Missouri, law enforcement is empowered and obligated to investigate such threats under the principle of "good faith," ensuring that all actions are conducted with the genuine intent of preventing harm and upholding the law. This aggressive response is not only a legal responsibility but also a moral obligation to protect individuals, families, and communities from the potential tragedy that could stem from a shooting threat. Failure to act with vigilance and thoroughness could result in catastrophic consequences, which is why each threat is handled with a proactive and precautionary approach.

We thank our community for their vigilance and continued support in ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone in Benton County.

Lieutenant, Kelly D. Lowe
Benton County Sheriff’s Office