Hecker Firefighters Rescue Couple From A Car In A Pond

Hecker firefighters came to the rescue of a couple who had driven off of Nike Road and landed in a pond. The driver, David Laramore of rural Red Bud, and passenger were uninjured. Hecker firefighters helped them exit their Chevrolet Cavalier and walk onto dry land. The car was pulled out by Wheat’s Towing.

 

Hecker firefighter Richie Happel climbs to the roof of a home on Ole Still Road Friday evening to extinguish a chimney fire. Hecker firefighters quickly arrived on the scene and saved the home from sustaining any substantial damage. On Sunday evening, Hecker and Red Bud firefighters were called out to 3561 State Route 3 to put out a chimney fire.

 

Wind Causes Electric Pole To Lean Dangerously Over Trailer

City of Waterloo workers Steve Hoffmann and Andre Phillips maneuver a piece equipment to grapple a utility pole in an alley between Third and Mill Street. Sunday’s intense winds caused the base of the pole to break and precariously lean over a mobile home owned by Al Marshall. The woman renting the mobile home and her pet dog exited their residence after Waterloo Police Officer Haddick asked them to evacuate to safety. “We quickly arrived on the scene and the pole posed no threat to the person residing in the mobile home,” said Tim Birk, Waterloo’s director of public utilities.

Amy (Thien) Hoffmann and Gene Rohlfing exchanged wedding vows Saturday. Family and friends gathered that evening at the Monroe County Fairgrounds for a reception. “The Maeystown – Valmeyer area has experienced three funerals and a wedding this past week,” observed Darcy Fausz.

The Fountain Creek Band is going on the road again. On March 8 they will be the first band to play at the Kaskaskia Roadhouse and Grill in downtown Burksville. Owners Ricky and Sharon Muertz welcome everyone to drop by for a festive evening of entertainment. The band starts playing at 9 p.m.

There are several broad-banded skunks reported on the loose in new town Valmeyer. City officials are asking residents to be on the look-out and take extra precaution for the pesky critters. One is believed to have resided, up until recently, at the building slated to house the future home of the village museum.

National FFA Week is being recognized this week by the local high school chapters. Waterloo High School is planning their tractor parade through the downtown streets on Wednesday afternoon. Valmeyer’s is slated for Friday.

The Valmeyer FFA is also beginning a project to plant several trees in open lots in both old and new town Valmeyer.

The sudden death this weekend of Adam Mosbacher came as a blow to the Valmeyer FFA, including longtime FFA Advisor Howard Heavner. The members fondly remember the recent graduate’s dedication to FFA. Classmate Sarah Rodenberg has created a Facebook internet page in Adam’s memory. Friends are posting their condolences.

Lloyd Schwarze is recovering at home after receiving a minor injury sustained Sunday afternoon in a vehicle accident on Bluff Road.

Columbia residents were en force dining Saturday evening at the Waterloo Country Club… They included Neil Kuehner, Barb Landgraf, Joyce and Kenny “Spooner” Schmidt and the Scott Rodemich family. While the Brad Rippelmeyer family of Columbia was also spotted enjoying a fine meal that evening, Brad will always be official considered a Valmeyer resident.

Turner Hall Celebrates 40 Years Of Volleyball

Many of the original participants in the Turner Hall of Columbia volleyball league gathered Sunday to watch the championship games of this year’s league. Founding member of Commissioner Rich Dreher, second from left, brought together many of his friends who help organize the league in 1968.

Mike "Tag" Vogt of the Audio Visual Concepts team, right, spikes the ball during a Turner Hall volleyball league tournament game on Sunday afternoon.

Recent Obituaries

Adam Mosbacher, 21, of Fults, died Feb. 16, 2008, at Red Bud Regional Hospital. He was born Feb. 2, 1987, in Red Bud, the son of Dennis and Debbie Mosbacher of Fults. In addition to his parents, he is survived by sisters Megan Mosbacher and Emilee Mosbacher; brother Jacob Mosbacher; grandparents Gerri (Ray) Wienhoff of rural Waterloo and Curtis (MaryLou) Mosbacher of Prairie du Rocher; great-grandmother Clara Chambers of Red Bud; godparents John and Rita Wienhoff of Red Bud; along with aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by grandfather, James Chambers and uncle, Kenny Chambers. Visitation is Monday, Feb. 18, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Tuesday, Feb. 19, 12 noon, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Renault, Father Roger Karban officiating. He will be buried at St. John Cemetery in Fults.

Russell Eugene Weston Sr., 75, of rural Valmeyer, died Feb. 16, 2008, at his residence following an extended illness. He was born June 7, 1932, in Gorham, the son of the late Luther Weston and Lillie (Needham) Weston. He married Arbah Jo (Lyerla) Weston in 1953. She survives him. Also surviving are a daughter, April (Ronald) Callahan of Valmeyer; and a son, Russell Weston Jr. He was retired from General Groceries of St. Louis, Mo. He was a member of New Harmony Church, and Columbia Blue Lodge 474 AF and AM. Visitation is Tuesday, Feb. 19, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral is Wednesday, Feb. 20, 11 a.m., at the funeral home, Pastor Dawson Miller officiating. He will be buried at Zoar UCC Cemetery in New Hanover. Memorials may be made to Family Hospice of Belleville or New Harmony Church. 

Dorthia Wild nee Benton, 83, of Waterloo, died Feb. 16, 2008, in Red Bud. She was born Oct. 31, 1924 in Owensville, Mo., the daughter of the late Joseph and Alice (nee Naugle) Benton. Survivors include daughters Bonnie (James) Hoffman of Waterloo ad Ruth Wild of St. Charles, Mo.; grandchildren Kevin (Rhonda) Hoffman and Brian (Angie) Hoffman; great-grandchildren Cassie, Kayla, Ryan, Morgan, Mason and Marisa Hoffman; and sister-in-law Eileen Naugle of Rockbridge. She was preceded in death by her husband, Erwin Wild; sisters and brothers. She was a member of Zion UCC of St. Joe’s Women's Guild. Memorials may be made to the church. Visitation is Sunday, Feb. 17, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Monday, Feb. 18, 11 a.m., at Zion UCC Church in St. Joe, Pastor Nancy Spier-Lee officiating.

Meeky Rusteberg, 83, of Fults, died Feb. 17, 2008, in Red Bud. She was born Feb. 5, 1925 in Eminence, Mo., the daughter of the late Arthur and Ellen (nee Williams) Nichols. Survivors include husband, Marcellus Rusteberg; son Curtis Rusteberg of Waterloo; grandchildren David Lee Rusteberg, Rebecca Patricia (William) Huddleston, both of Waterloo; great-grandchild Arthur Lee (Jennifer) Rusteberg of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; sisters Caden Huddleston of Maryville, Helen Garrett and Mary Witker; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by five sisters and one brother. Visitation is Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Wednesday, Feb. 20, 10 a.m., at the funeral home, Pastor Patrick Poole officiating. She will be buried at the Monroe City Cemetery.