Monroe County Independent

Fire Destroys Abandoned Renault Home

Fire officials are trying to determine what caused a fire Sunday night in an abandoned home in downtown Renault. At 10:45 p.m., a neighbor noticed a home, two houses down from Freeda’s Bar, engulfed in flames. Firefighters from Maeystown, Prairie du Rocher and Red Bud worked for several hours to put out the fire. No one had lived at the residence for several years. Maeystown Fire Chief Lynden Prange said he was hoping to soon determine what sparked the blaze.

Fish Fry Seasons Kick Off

Don Matzenbacher fries fish last Friday at the Waterloo VFW. With the beginning of Lent, area fish stands were busy throughout the evening.

Recent Obituaries

Jeanette J. Johnson, 73, o Imperial, Mo., died Feb. 9, 2008, at Des Peres Hospital. She was born March 9, 1934, in St. Louis, Mo., the daughter of the late James and Rose (Mesplay) LaMear. Survivors include daughters Cathie (Roger) Massie of Waterloo, Janet (Larry) Harris of East Carondelet, Teresa (Joe) Hurt of DeSoto, Mo., and Shelley Decker of Waterloo; brothers Jim (Mary Jane) LaMear of St. Louis, Mo., Tom (Shirley) LaMear of St. Louis, Mo., Jerry (Marilyn) LaMear of Licking, Mo., and Bob (Jane) LaMear of Dupo; sister, Mary (Paul) Knoll of St. Louis, Mo.; 15 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren; and daughters-in-law, Renae Johnson and Linda Stein. She was preceded in death by sons Mark, Robert and Dennis Johnson; and a daughter, Bobbie Lou Johnson. Visitation is Wednesday, Feb. 13, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home. A funeral will follow. Graveside services are at 3 p.m., at St. Paul Evangelical Cemetery in Columbia. She was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Cedar Hill, Mo. Memorials may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association - Jerry's Kids.

John J. Carle Sr., 78, of Columbia, died Feb. 9, 2008, at St. Anthony's Hospital, St. Louis, MO. He was born June 10, 1929 in Columbia, the son of the late John Carle and the late Dorothy Lemen. He was married to the late Linda Fay Wright in 1964 in New Hanover. She died in 2005. Survivors include sons John J. Carle, Jr. of Columbia and Michael R. (Julie) Carle of Prairie Du Rocher; daughter, Carole Ann (Del) Paris of Columbia; 9 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; brother, Arthur (Jan) G. Carle of St. Louis, Mo.; sister, Margaret (Ron) A. Wallace of Belleville; along with other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by a brother, Louis Carle. Visitation is Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral is Wednesday, Feb. 13, 11 a.m., at the funeral home, with Rev. William Groennert officiating. He will be buried at St. Paul Evangelical Church Cemetery in Columbia. He was retired from Union Bank, East St. Louis. He was an honorary lifetime member of the Waterloo Sportsman Club and a member of American Legion Post 581 in Columbia. Memorials may be made to the Christ Community Lutheran Church in Columbia.

Robert “Odie” Mathews, 53, of Hecker, died Feb. 10, 2008, at his residence. He was born Jan. 19, 1955, in East St. Louis, the son of Delores Mathews nee Campbell of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Dale Mathews of Waterloo, who survive. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Linda Mathews nee Wittenauer; children Angela (Todd) Eschmann of Waterloo and Robert Mathews (friend Lisa Braun) of Hecker; grandchildren Brenden "Peanut" Eschmann, Samantha Eschmann and Abby Eschmann; father-in-law Delbert (Shirley) Wittenauer of Waterloo; sisters Linda (Keith) Lenox of St. Louis, Debbie (Jeff) Battin of Waterloo and Sandy (Doug) Akin of Waterloo; brothers Daniel Mathews of St. Louis, Dale Mathews of Waterloo and Mike Mathews of Waterloo; sisters-in-law Diane (Jerry) Mollet of Hecker, Pearl (Ronnie) Braun of Waterloo, Donna (Matt) Mensing of Beckemeyer, Debbie (Kenny) Osterhage of Waterloo and Lisa (Lonnie) Rehmer of Hecker; brothers-in-law Delbert (Sandy) Wittenauer and Gerard (Connie) Wittenauer, both of Waterloo; 31 nieces and nephews, aunts uncles and friends. He was preceded in death by mother-in-law, Gladys Wittenauer; maternal grandparents Fred and Bernice (nee McGraw) Campbell; paternal grandparents Simon and Agnes (nee Schneider) Mathews; niece, Rachael Wittenauer; and nephews John Jennings and Kirk Osterhage. Visitation is Tuesday, Feb. 12, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Wednesday, Feb. 13, 10 a.m., at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Hecker. He will be buried at the church’s cemetery. He was a vice-president of Laborer Local 196 of Waterloo, a past member of Hecker Volunteer Fire Department, Hecker Community Center, Hecker Sportsman Club and past president of the Monroe County Democrat Club. He was also a longtime fan race car driver of Dale Ernhardt Sr. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or Robert Mathews Foundation for Families in Need.

Elsie Oelzen nee Nottmeier of St. Louis, Mo., 104, died Feb. 8, 2008. She was born July 27, 1903 in Fults, the daughter of the late Fred and Catherine (nee Nagel) Nottmeier. Survivors include children Laverne Schardan, Jean (Allen) Weber and Wayne Oelzen; daughter-in-law Janet Oelzen; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren; and sister, Nelda Allscheid; she was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Oelzen; son, Henry Oelzen; daughter-in-law, Deanna Oelzen; and grandson, Randy Weber. She was a former member of the Carondelet E & R Church. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association. Visitation and funeral were at Quernheim Funeral Home, with Pastor Robert Stevens officiating. She was buried at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery.

Today's News - February 11, 2008

Schlick Ice Advisory On County Hard Roads

A driver of a car lost control of their vehicle in the 4100 block of HH Road in rural Waterloo and slid into a garage and tree. The driver was not injured.

The Monroe County Independent weather bureau is issuing a schlick ice advisory on all area hard roads. The continued falling of snow and sleet today has left area roadways very schlick.

Weather Update

The National Weather Service is reporting a wintry mix of snow, freezing rain and sleet will continue to fall this afternoon throughout the region.

Areas north of Waterloo should receive between 1 to 3 inches of snow and this afternoon. More accumulation of snow and sleet are predicted to fall south of Waterloo, with a range of between 3 to 5 inches predicted to fall today.

“If you must travel, slow down and allow extra time,” said Gene Henckler, Monroe County’s Director of the Emergency Management Agency.

As of noon all Monroe County schools plan to remain open, but those in Randolph County are being released early. Those schools include Prairie du Rocher, Red Bud and Chester.