Today's News - November 1, 2008

Valmeyer Has Something To Cheer About

The Valmeyer Pirates won the Class 1A New Athens Regional on Saturday against Sesser-Valier. The team is now gearing up for the Mascoutah Sectional Tournament. They will play Tuesday at 6 p.m., against the winner of the Steeleville Regional. Coach Jenny Kohnz was motivated, in part, by the memory of their former classmate, Brandon Williams, who tragically died earlier this week.  

“I told the team we needed to give the students at VHS something to smile about,” said Kohnz.

A video clip from the Pirates parading through town on their way home from today’s victory has been posted on The Independent’s YouTube site: http://www.youtube.com/user/MoCoIndependent - video by Carol Floarke.

Recent Obituary

Brandon Williams, 15, of Valmeyer, died Oct. 30, 2008, in St. Louis, Mo. He was born June 14, 1993, in St. Louis, Mo., the son of Charles and Stacey Williams. In addition to his parents, Mr. Williams is survived by a brother, Zachary Williams of Olney, Mo.; maternal grandmother, Barbara Zeiss of Cahokia; paternal grandparents Charles (Christine) Williams of Troy, Mo.; uncles Michael Vick of Troy, Mo., and Patrick Vick of Cahokia; and aunts Sheryl (Rob) Cotton and Tara Williams, both of Cahokia; along with cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by grandparents Claude Vick and Donald Zeiss. Mr. Williams was a student at Valmeyer High School and member of the Valmeyer FFA. Visitation is Monday, Nov. 3, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Tuesday, Nov. 4, 10 a.m., at St. Mary Catholic Church in Valmeyer, Father Urban Osuji officiating. Mr. Williams will be buried at Immaculate Conception Church Cemetery in Madonnaville.  Memorials may be made to the Brandon Williams Trust Fund.

Gibault Wins Third In State Soccer Tourney

The Gibault Hawks will be coming home tomorrow with the third place trophy in the Class 1A state soccer tournament. They defeated Rochester 1-0 in overtime this evening for the victory. Elmhurst Christian and Winnebago will play for the championship Saturday night at North Central College in Naperville. The Hawks will be welcomed home with an assembly at the school gym Sunday at 4 p.m.