Weekend Wrap-Up - August 4, 2008

Captain Bud Vogt Laid To Rest In Madonnaville

One final call: Bud Vogt is carried to his grave at the Immaculate Conception Church of Madonnaville cemetery. Leading the procession are County Deputies carrying the U.S. and Illinois flags, followed by Sheriff Dan Kelley and Father John Patrick Day. Members of the Sheriff’s Department and Waterloo Police Department served as pall bearers.

Perry “Bud” Vogt was laid to rest Sunday following an extended battle with cancer. He was buried at Immaculate Conception Church of Madonnaville’s cemetery. The longtime captain with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department was honored at his grave by his family, friends and fellow law enforcement officers from the county and neighboring municipalities. Twenty-six squad cars led the funeral procession from Quernheim Funeral Home to the gravesite. Father John Patrick Day of the Illinois State Police officiated the service. A luncheon followed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Hall in Valmeyer.

Vogt is survived by his wife, Judith Vogt nee Galeski; children Angela (Dale) Wiegard, Laura (David) Mortimore, Tom (Tammy) Vogt, Michael P. Vogt and James (Kim) Vogt; grandchildren Claire and Matt Wiegard; Megan Vogt; and Katie and Bryan Mortimore; mother, Dorothy (Vogt) Koch; and sister, Trudi (Allyn) Rohlfing.

He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and Valmeyer American Legion Post 901. Vogt had also worked for the Valmeyer Police Department and MAR Graphics in Valmeyer. He earned a Purple Heart and Bronze Star while serving for the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. He also was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for Illinois Law Enforcement.

The National Weather Service has issues a heat advisory for the St. Louis Metro East, including Monroe County. It is in effect until 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Dangerous levels of heat and humidity is expected. Air temperatures are predicted to be in the upper 90s. Combined with the humidity, the heat index will be between 105 and 110 degrees.

Those needing relief from the heat are being advised by the Monroe County office of the Emergency Management Agency to go to public buildings which have air conditioning, including libraries, the courthouse and city halls.

Corps Of Engineers Offers Mississippi River Excursion To Local Officials

Aboard the top deck of the river vessel Mississippi while docked in Grand Tower along the Mississippi river, East West Gateway Council of Governments Community Planning Director Steve Nagle, left, discusses the need for Monroe, Madison and St. Clair counties to work together as a team to make the best plan to solve the levee situation. Listening in are, left to right, Mike Sullivan of the Prairie du Pont Levee District, Monroe County Commissioner Terry Liefer and Monroe County Levee Task Force member Rodney Linker.

A delegation of those working on the current levee repair situation between Alton and Columbia were invited to an overnight Mississippi River cruise this weekend aboard the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ vessel Mississippi, the largest towboat in the United States. The vessel transported the guests from Grand Tower to downtown St. Louis, Mo. The excursion provided an opportunity for the attendees to discuss the various repair and funding issues associated with the recent FEMA mandated upgrades required along levees protecting bottoms land from Alton to Columbia.

“I thought it was a very productive event and we made a lot of progress,” said County Commissioner Terry Liefer.

A St. Louis man died in a motorcycle accident Saturday night on I-255 near the intersection of Route 3 on the north end of Columbia. John Ray Crenshaw, 47, was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:38 p.m., by Monroe County Coroner Julie Gummersheimer.

There was a minor ammonia leak Friday evening at Valmeyer’s Rock City business development. Valmeyer fighters were called to help dissipate the gas. Business was soon back to normal at the facility.

The Monroe County Flood Prevention District will meet Tuesday, Aug. 5, at 7 p.m., at the Monroe County Courthouse. District commissioners John Conrad, Dave Baxmeyer and Bruce Brinkman will discuss the background of the local levee districts and the steps required to meet FEMA certification levels.

The American Red Cross will have a blood drive Aug. 19, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Turner Hall in Columbia. Sandwiches, homemade cookies and refreshments will be served. To schedule an appointment, call 281-6941. Walk in donors are also welcome.

The Waterloo Fire Department responded to Schnuck’s on Sunday evening for a report of smoke in the liquor department.

“There was a minor electrical fire that was quickly extinguished,” said WFD Assistant Chief Jim Dietz.

The store remained opened during the incident.

Michael Halleran and his wife, Pearl, declined medical treatment following this morning’s accident on Main Street in downtown Columbia. Mr. Halleran, 83, said he must have momentarily passed out before hitting the street light pole with his Chevrolet Impala. He was not ticketed in the incident.

Rock And Blues Bands Final Show For Season At Music At Metter

Youth rock band Morland Drive was the opening band Sunday during the final summer show for Columbia’s Music At Metter concert series. The band Blues Racket followed on stage.   – photo by Gage Wienhoff

St. Patrick’s Serves Up Tons Of Chicken At Summer Auction

Kitchen workers at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church of Tipton served up chicken dinners Sunday during the church’s annual auction.

MASC Gala Honors Year’s Theatrical Productions

Melissa and Joan Rivers, aka Lynn Pittman, left, and Judi Horrell, right, welcome Monroe County Commissioner Dale Haudrich and his wife, Kay, to MASC’s Gala last Thursday evening at The Falls.  – photo by Judy Brinkmann

The Monroe Actors Stage Company’s first Annual pre-season Gala and Patron’s Choice Awards Ceremony was July 31 at The Falls in Columbia. Guests were greeted by Lynn Pittman and Judi Horrell, who portrayed Joan and Melissa Rivers. They ladies asked those arriving, “Who are you wearing tonight?” and received faux kisses and adoration from “Joan and Melissa,” much like the red carpet prior to the Oscars.

Local celebrities walking the red carpet included County Commissioner Dale Haudrich and his wife, Kay; Waterloo Chamber of Commerce Director Debbie Ruggeri and her husband, David; Waterloo Mayor Tom Smith and wife, Pat; Sally Smith, mother of Mayor Smith; and several members of Friends of MASC, including Mary Krebel, Bev Hirstein, Joy Bretz, Gwen West and Twyla Luhr.

Monroe County Fair Queen Carolyn Wicklein had a busy weekend. She was spotted Saturday at the St. Leo Catholic Church of Prairie du Rocher Picnic and the Columbia Music At Metter on Sunday.

New Athens Fire Chief Buck Owens celebrated his 50th birthday Friday evening. Attendees at the gathering included several Monroe County firefighters.

Stacy Eichelmann gathered with family and friends Saturday night for a bachelorette party. Stops included several Monroe County watering holes, including J.V.’s. Eichelmann is engaged to Jeff Davis, a Waterloo firefighter.

Recent Obituaries

Virginia “Ginny” Meyer nee Alcorn, 78, of St. Louis, Mo., died Aug. 1, 2008. She was the beloved wife of Russell H. Meyer Sr. for 61 years. She is survived by sons Russell (Jean) Meyer Jr. of Chesterfield, Mo., Ronald Meyer Sr. of St. Louis, Mo., Randall (Beverly) Meyer of Fults and Roger Meyer of DeSoto, Mo.; along with grandchildren, great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, aunt, niece and friends. Visitation is Monday, Aug. 4, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., at John L Ziegenhein & Sons Funeral Home in South County, 4830 Lemay Ferry Road. Funeral is 9:45 a.m., at the funeral home. Mrs. Meyer will be buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Prince of Peace UCC or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.