Pepper Killed When Jaguar Slams Into Pole

Columbia firefighters and Columbia Police Officer Simon secure the scene at this morning’s fatal car accident.

James “Jimmy” Pepper, Jr. of New Hanover was killed instantly in a one-vehicle accident July 31 in Columbia. At 5:30 a.m., Pepper, 20, was driving his Jaguar southbound on Route 3 when he apparently lost control of the vehicle at the Quarry Road exit. The car came to rest after slamming into a utility pole at the bottom of the ramp. There were no other occupants in the vehicle. The crash is being reconstructed by the Illinois State Police and the initial report indicates Pepper was not wearing a seat belt.

Waterloo High School Wins Fair’s FFA Fun Night

Waterloo High School won first place in Sunday’s FFA Fun Night to conclude the fair’s events in the main arena. Red Bud came in second and Valmeyer finished in third place. The WHS team also won the sweepstakes competition. Celebrating their first place finish are, left to right, first row, Dawn Sensel, Kaitlan Dinges and Katie Kelly; second row, Carrie Schremp, Rosemary Chapple, Jeremy Klein, Jessica Otten, Andrea Crook, Little Miss Madalyn Valerius, Bethany Klein, Tori Vogt, Denise Schuchardt, Carolyn Wicklein, Sunny Bivins and Courtney Hoffmann and third row, Drew Fausz, Robert Church, Allen Schaefer, Bethany Klein, Kaleb Matzenbacher, Phil Saale, Jake Matthews, Fair Queen Emily Hopkins, Jordan Matthews, Jason Rippelmeyer, Patrick Doyle, Darin Sensel, Erich Schmidt, John Dell, Adam Schneider and Brittany Meyer.

Columbia Summer Theater To Present The Music Man At Middle School
The Columbia Summer Theater has announced the production of The Music Man, made possible through the Dorothy Weinel Eppinger Foundation. There will be four performances, Aug. 3 through Aug. 5, at Columbia Middle School. The cast consists of 85 actors from Columbia and surrounding communities, bringing to life the story of a small Midwest town lighted upon by a small-time con man. When he falls in love with the town librarian, who sees through his ruse, he must decide to move on or stay and face the consequences.

The play is directed by MaryBeth Scherr, and will be preformed in three nightly performances Aug. 2 through 4, at 7 p.m., and Aug. 5, at 2 p.m., in the CMS Cafetorium. Tickets are $2 per seat and can be purchased at Ron’s Pharmacy and The Marketplace, and will be available at the door. Scherr recommends buying tickets in advance because seating is limited.

Trophies Presented To Winners Of ACE Car Show

The Addicted Car Enthusiasts car club held their first annual car show Sunday, July 29 in Borsch Memorial Park in Valmeyer. The show proceeds were donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Club officers Kyle Brinkmann, president; Mike Ramsey, vice president; and Kyle Felix, manager; along with the entire club, spent the past three months preparing for the show, which had more than 100 vehicles entered. ACE’s members are from Waterloo, Columbia, Valmeyer and Staunton. Trophies were awarded for first, second and third place in each car, truck and motorcycle class and specialty classes, as well as trophies for the best Ford, MOPAR, GM, interior, paint, club participation and people’s choice.    – photo by Judy Brinkmann

The Monroe Actors Stage Company has announced it will produce “The Flood” to open its 2007-2008 season. This will be the first production of “The Flood” outside New York City. “The Flood” is a musical inspired by the Flood of 1993 and is based on interviews with local residents.

“This show presents an extraordinary opportunity for us, as an artistic group, and for the community as it pays tribute to the courage and spirit that is our Midwestern heritage,” said John Campbell, MASC board of directors president and director of “The Flood.” Performances will be Sept. 6 through 9, and Sept. 13 through 16, 2007.

Recent Obituaries
Bernell E. Hoffman nee Kaufman, 90, of Waterloo, died July 28, 2007, in Waterloo. She was born Feb. 28, 1917, in Waterloo, the daughter of the late Grover and Ella and Grover Kaufman nee Pflueger. She was married to the late Robert A. Hoffman. Mrs. Hoffman is survived by her daughter Pepa Annell of Waterloo, and grandson Chance Graff. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. Visitation and a funeral service were at Quernheim Funeral Home, Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein officiating. She is buried at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery in Waterloo. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Carolyn S. Nesbit nee Burton, 62, of Waterloo, died July 28, 2007, in Waterloo. She was born April 20, 1945, in Granite City, the daughter of Leroy W. Burton of Granite City and the late Alberta M. Burton nee Thomas. She was married to Al "AJ" Nesbit. Mrs. Nesbit is survived by her father; husband; children Jerry D. Morris of Portland, Ore., Tammy (Rick) Tribble of Prattsville, Ala., David L. (Medy) Morris of Brandon, Fla., Nancy E. Brown of O'Fallon, Mo., and Karla A. Nesbit of Villa Ridge, Mo.; nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild; siblings Al (Mary Ann) Burton of Granite City, James Burton of Texas, Brenda Tempe of Cincinnati, Ohio, Jerry (fiancee Martha Champion) Burton of Granite City, Rita (Leonard) White of Fairview Heights, Mary Nesbit (George Warren) of Granite City, Ruth (David) Rettig of Gibsonton, Fla., and Bill (Mellissa) Burton of Dover, Tenn.; brother-in-law Don Nesbit Sr. of Belleville; and sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her mother; maternal grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Thomas; and paternal grandparents Mr. and Mrs. JS Bush. Visitation was at Quernheim Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to BJC Hospice.

L. Joe Russell, 84, of Columbia, died July 28, 2007, in Belleville. He was born May 29, 1923, in Troy, Iowa, the son of the late Ulris and Bernice Russell nee Leeps. Mr. Russell is survived by his daughters Catherine (Thomas) Wheeler of Palatka, Fla., and Julie Furr of Columbia; grandchildren Stacey Hennessey, Michael Wheeler and Erin Furr; great-grandchild Devon Hennessey; brother Rex Russell of Arnold, Mo., and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife Verna Russell and brother Mancel Russell. Mr. Russell was retired from General Metals in St. Louis as a machinist. He was a member of VFW Post 2661 in Washington, Mo., the WWII Sailors Association and Disabled American Veterans. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. Visitation was at Lawlor Funeral Home. A graveside service was held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Pastor Clint Spivey officiating. Memorials may be made to Disabled American Veterans.

Glenn Riebeling, 79, of Columbia, died July 29, 2007. He was born March 5, 1928, in Columbia, the son of the late William A. and Barbara P. Riebeling nee Bergmann. He married the late Evelyn Riebeling nee Frank in 1949. Mr. Frank is survived by his son Galen H. (Gail) Riebeling of Waterloo, daughter Lori (Dan) Cocos of Columbia; grandchildren Chad Riebeling, Matt Riebeling, Lauren Foran, Zach Altvater, Anne Altvater and Brad Altvater; great-grandchildren Noah, Ethan, Kane, Lucas and Lincoln; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brother Carl W. Riebeling Sr.; and sister Wilma Straub. Mr. Riebeling was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Columbia. He was retired from Luhr Brothers Construction Co. as a carpenter. He was a member of Columbia Blue Lodge 474 A.F. and A.M. Visitation was at Lawlor Funeral Home. A funeral service was at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Pastor Bob Goddard officiating. He is buried at Evangelical St. Paul Cemetery in Columbia. Memorials may be made to the St. Paul United Church of Christ in Columbia Memorial Fund.