And they’re off…. Runners and walkers take off Saturday morning during the annual Ed Gardner Memorial Gallop at Waterloo Junior High School. Proceeds from the walk/run benefit a fund named in honor of the longtime former principal of Waterloo Junior High School.

Shelby “Bud” Mathes celebrated his 30^th birthday party Saturday at Dan and Terri Krebel’s home in rural Red Bud. He thought he was attending a Cinco de Mayo party but was given a surprise party in his honor. Photos will be printed in the next edition.

Mild weather and a wide-selection of antiques and flowers brought out a big crowd to the annual Maeystown Fruehlingsfest – Antique and Flower sale, including Ron and Linda Polka. The couple has been photographed by the Edi-tor at this event for several of the past years.

Twyla Luhr, center, roots on the horses Saturday afternoon during the annual Relay For Life benefit Kentucky Derby Race party at Fountain Inn. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. One of the event’s big winners were Eric and Cindie Allscheid, back row.

Congratulations to Merle Doerr and Paul Faus, who were the top finisher Saturday of the annual Waterloo Fire Department Fishing Tournament.

Congratulations to Greg Giffhorn, Chad Everett and Curt Harres who located The Independent’s “Purposely-placed Incorrect Caption of the Week.” The three were the first to contact the Ed-itor to let him know he mistyped a caption on the May 4 edition of the paper. For those sticklers for the facts, and to make sure there are no readers who thought the election went to the other candidate, in this e-newsletter the corrected caption that should have been printed is as follows...

Grant Youngs, left, congratulates Waterloo Mayor Tom Smith on his election as the new Waterloo mayor. The two were spotted election night at the Waterloo VFW.

Recent Obituaries

Brittanie Lynn Holmes, 16, of Waterloo, formerly of Cahokia and O’Fallon, died May 2. She was a sophomore at Waterloo High School and a member of First Baptist Church in O’Fallon. She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Radmila Nikolic, grandfather, Robert Holmes. Survivors include her father, Robert Holmes of Cahokia; mother, Carolina (Brian) Jones; brother, Brandon Holmes; step-brother, Brandon Jones; step-sister, Breann Jones; grandfather, Angelko Nikolic; grandmother, Bonnie (Mike) Byciuk; and great-grandfather, Arthur Schef. Funeral service is Monday, May 7, 10 a.m., at Braun Colonial Funeral Home in Cahokia. She will be buried at St. John UCC Cemetery in Fults.

Richard “Rip” Vallowe, 83, of Dupo, died May 4. He was retired from Amex in Sauget. He was a member of the American Legion, Dupo Fire Department, Dupo trustee and an Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include wife, Alice nee Otten Vallowe; sons Roger and Craig (Mary) Vallowe; and brother, Virgil (Marie) Vallowe. Visitation is Monday, May 7, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Dashner Funeral Home in Dupo. Funeral is Tuesday, 10 a.m., at Dashner.

Sharon Huebner nee Schroeder, 45, of Dupo, died May 4. She was employed by Sara Lee Bakery or Earth City, Mo. She was preceded in death by father, Joseph Schroeder; brother, Charles Schroeder; and in-laws William and Geri Huebner. Survivors include husband, Steven Huebner; children Erica Huebner and Stephanie Huebner; mother, Gloria Schroeder; and sister, Carol (James) Laury. Funeral is Monday, May 7, 10 a.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home.