E-Newsletter - October 24, 2008

Rock City’s National Records Center Officially Dedicated

The National Archives and Records Administration officially dedicated their storage facility today located in the Rock City Business Complex in Valmeyer. The NARA signed a long-term contract to store medical and personnel records in 400,000 cubic square feet of the underground facility. Rock City developer Joe Koppeis, left, was among those welcoming elected officials, dignitaries and guests to today’s ceremony.

Marie Lich of Waterloo and Karen and Wayne Melching of Red Bud are recovering from injuries sustained this morning in a two-vehicle accident in Waterloo. Lich, 73, was driving a 2001 Chevrolet Town & Country minivan southbound on Route 3 when she attempted to make a left onto North Moore Street. She turned into the path a 1994 GMC truck driven by Karen Melching, which was traveling northbound on Route 3. The collision caused Lich’s vehicle to overturn, trapping her inside. Waterloo firefighters and Monroe County Ambulance personnel extricated Lich from the minivan. She was transported by ambulance to St. Anthony’s Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. The Melchings were taken to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville. None of the injuries are considered to be life threatening. Lich was ticketed for failure to yield to oncoming traffic.

Downtown Shoppers Find Scary Deals At Witches Night Out

Kendra Harris, Tina Carrico and Lois Botkin of Mill Street Treasures get in the spirit of the Waterloo Merchant Group’s Witches Night Out on Thursday. Seven participating shops in downtown Waterloo hosted the near-Halloween festivities with treats and sales.   – photo by Judy Brinkmann

The Waterloo High School Bulldogs volleyball team wrapped up the Mississippi Valley Conference championship Tuesday night with a win over the Highland Bulldogs. They defeated Collinsville in a non-conference game Thursday night at home. WHS went 10-0 in conference play this season and 23-5 overall, earning their first conference title since 2002. They begin playoffs on Thursday, Oct. 30, in Carbondale against Mt. Vernon.

Valmeyer Wins Conference Title

The Valmeyer High School varsity volleyball team wrapped up their conference title Thursday with a victory over Lebanon. During the game, Emily Edler goes for a spike. Looking on are Pirates teammates Caitlin Nappier, Jessie Spradling and Laura Berry.

The Gibault Hawks soccer team defeated Litchfield yesterday 4-1 in the first round of the Class 1A sectional at Metro East Lutheran High School in Edwardsville. The Hawks advance to the sectional championship Tuesday against Teutopolis. Kick off is 7 p.m., at Metro East Lutheran.

Gregson Takes Home Golf Championship; Ties Two College Records

Mitchell Gregson

Kansas State University junior Mitchell Gregson, WHS class of 2005, earned his second individual championship as a KSU golfer while tying the lowest-ever 54-hole score at Silver Valley Creek Country Club in San Jose, Calif. He also shot the second- and third-lowest rounds in KSU history. The KSU Wildcats came in second place behind South Dakota State University; Gregson’s winning score was 12-under par 201. His last round was 64.

Waterloo Freshmen Fall To Triad

WHS Bulldog running back Drake Laidley, right, pushes the ball up field in Thursday night’s freshman home game against Triad. The Bulldogs 14-12. It was one of the final football games scheduled at the current WHS football field. The new Waterloo High School complex and athletic fields are scheduled to be in use in 2009.   – photo by Gage Wienhoff

Finishing tops in the 2008 Waterloo Country Club Ladies Championship are: Championship Flight - Club Champion, Karen Pottoff, and low net, Susan Naumann; A-flight - low gross, Shirley Hoy, and low net, Jane Asselmeier; B-flight - low gross, Gloria Oggero, and low net, Ann Murphy; C-flight - low gross, Kathy Dunphy, and low net, Lyn Hortiz; and Silvers Fliers - low gross, Ruth Stumpf, and low net, Edith Campbell.

There were 61 donors Oct. 21 at the American Red Cross Blood Drive at Turner Hall in Columbia. Sponsoring the event were Commercial State Bank of Waterloo's Columbia branch and the Columbia Woman's Club. Donors reaching milestones included Dawn Goodman, 2 gallons; Tim Sitkiewicz, 3 gallons; Sharon Nealon, 4 gallons; and Donna Myers, 8 gallons. The next Columbia Community Blood Drive is Tuesday, Dec. 16, at Turner Hall.

There will be a blood drive Monday, Nov. 3, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Hope Christian Church on Route 3 between Columbia and Waterloo.

Waterloo Scouts will collect food for area food pantries in time to be distributed to families for Thanksgiving. Scouts from Packs 301, 323 and 318 will put bags on doors beginning Nov. 15. They will return to pick up the bags filled with donated food items Nov. 22. The items will be given to the food pantries at Western Egyptian and Hope Christian Church.

Friends and family of the late Margaret Gaby are invited to attend a celebration of life service Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Acorns Golf Links in Waterloo.

The Alzheimer's Association’s In the Moment support group will meet Thursday, Oct. 30, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., in the classroom at Oak Hill in Waterloo. The topic for the evening is, What is it like to live with Alzheimer's? There will be activities to demonstrate living with memory loss. The public is invited, especially anyone caring for an individual with memory loss. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call Julia at 939-3488 ext. 1248.

Jeff Huch has taken over as president of the Columbia Kiwanis Club. He said he is honored to take the position following the dedicated service Dewan Prashad provided as president the past two years.

Valmeyer’s Youth Center will celebrate a grand opening Family Night on Friday, Nov. 7. Festivities will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The facility is located at 300 E. Woodland Ridge, in a structure located behind the First Baptist Church. Hot dogs and chili will be provided, along with refreshments. Initially, the center will welcome high school aged students.

“But once we get this going, we are hoping to also include younger children,” said Darlene Kettler, one of the organizers of the facility.

The regular hours will be Friday nights from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.  Parents wishing to volunteer at the center are asked to call Kettler at 935-2563.

The City of Columbia and Columbia Chamber of Commerce are once again sponsoring Halloween Hi-Jinks. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 25. That morning, participating Columbia businesses will hand out treats to children in costume. A costume contest will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m., at the Immaculate Conception Grade School playground. Participants are then invited to take part in a parade along Main Street and ending at Metter Park.

Calendar of Events:

Friday

Halloween Night at the YMCA: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
            Fish Fry and Bingo at the Waterloo VFW
            Waterloo Sportsman’s Haunted Trail

Saturday

Columbia Halloween Hijinks
            History Museum of Monroe County’s Grand Opening
            Columbia City Saloon’s Grand Reopening
            Rock band Pole Position at Bobeck’s
            Operation Uplink Fundraiser Dance at Waterloo VFW
            Waterloo Sportsman’s Haunted Trail

Sunday

St. Patrick’s Church of Tipton Wurstmarkt
            Valmeyer Lakers Meat Shoot at Fountain Inn
 

Recent Obituaries

Charlene Ima Ann Killy, 69, of Columbia, died Oct. 22, 2008. She was born July 20, 1939, in St. Louis, the daughter of the late Jessey and Elvira Hahn nee Merlenbach. She married William Killy Jr. in 1960. Mrs. Killy is survived by her children Beth (Dale) Gummersheimer of Columbia, Stephen Killy of Columbia, David (Debbie) Killy of Millstadt, and Michael (Dvonne) Killy of Valmeyer; grandchildren Jeremy Mees, Ashlyn Gummersheimer, Madilyn Gummersheimer, Kevin Killy, Kurt Killy, Kaitlyn Killy, Kirstin Killy, Chris (Kaena) Burke, Courtney Burke, Joshua Killy, Tyler Hille, Tori Killy, Trent Killy, Brittany Killy, Jordyn Killy, Megan Killy and Jacob Killy; great-grandchildren Kayla Burke and Chloe Burke; sisters Donna (Roland) Falkenhain of Memphis, Tenn., Joyce (Dennis) Kruse of Columbia, and Debbie (Charles) Hartmann of Red Bud, Diane (Larry) Gielow of Red Bud; brothers-in-law Paul Killy and Dennis Killy; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister-in-law Ellen Killy. Mrs. Killy was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia. Visitation is today, Oct. 24, from 4 to 8 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home. A funeral Mass will be Saturday, Oct. 25, at 10 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Church. She will be buried at Immaculate Conception Catholic in Columbia. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or The ALS Association.

Margaret Gaby, 65, of Allegan, Mich., formerly of Waterloo, died Oct. 17, 2008, at her residence. She was born Oct. 10, 1943 in Allegan, the daughter of Lynn and Lillian (Waanders) Meade. She graduated from Allegan High School in 1962. She married Tom Gaby in 1964. He preceded her in death. They operated the Bee Hive Bowl in Waterloo for 19 years. Mrs. Gaby is survived by her children Jody Vogt and Mark Gaby, both of Illinois; grandchildren Cory, Kacie, and Karlie Vogt and Tabitha Gaby; a brother, Gary (Debra) Meade of Allegan; sisters Sandy (Jim) Wheat and Linda Wilson, all of Allegan; special friend Dan Sweet; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. There will be no visitation. A funeral service was held Monday, Oct. 20, at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Allegan, Father William Whiting officiating. A celebration of life service will be held Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Acorns Golf Links in Waterloo. Memorials may be made Hospice of Southern Illinois. Local arrangements were handled by DeFabio Funeral Home in Waterloo.

James William Colyer, infant son of James and Christy Colyer of Cape Girardeau, Mo., was born Oct. 22, 2008, at Southeast Hospital in Cape, and died later that day. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Evelyn Colyer. In addition to his parents, he is survived by sisters Jordan, Bailey and Reese Colyer; grandparents James “Ron” and Lynn Colyer of Columbia, and Bill and Jane Foeste of Olive Branch; uncle Josh (Mary) Colyer of Columbia; and great-grandmothers Wilma Colyer of East Cape Girardeau, Emily Camp of North Dupo; along with other aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. A private memorial service was held Oct. 25, 2008, at Valhalla Cemetery in Belleville.