Monroe County Independent

The Monroe County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a quarter-cent sales tax to fund improvements to the Fish Lake and Prairie du Pont levee districts at their Tuesday, Sept. 2 meeting at the courthouse. The commissioners acted on the recommendation of three-man Monroe County Flood Protection District Board. Commissioners Dave Baxmeyer, Bruce Brinkman and John Conrad formally presented their recommendation to the county board. All three county board members attended the flood protection board meeting last week when that flood protection board recommended approval of the tax. The sales tax will take effect Jan. 1, 2009.

Waterloo Mayor Tom Smith spoke against the tax at Tuesday’s meeting indicating the proposition should be taken to a county-wide vote. Columbia Mayor Kevin Hutchinson spoke in favor of the issue, citing the economic benefits to the city and county. There were approximately six other citizens in attendance.

Chairman of the County Board Dale Haudrich then called for a vote on the measure. Commissioner Terry Liefer made the motion to approve the tax. The motion was seconded by Delbert Wittenauer. A resolution enacting the tax unanimously passed.

The county board also appointed Rodney Linker as a special consultant to the Flood Protection District during Tuesday’s meeting.

The burning contents of a Reliable Sanitation garbage truck were emptied onto the pavement at the entrance to the Columbia Safety Complex. The driver of the truck saw smoke coming from the back end of the truck while driving on the north end of town. “He picked up something hot while on his rounds on Briegel and Metter,” said Columbia Assistant Fire Chief Jim Broshears. “But we are not exactly sure what started the fire.” After the driver dialed 9-1-1 and arrived in front of the fire house, firefighters advised him to dump his entire load so they could more easily extinguish the blaze. A front-loader soon arrived at the scene and loaded the trash back into a garbage truck.

There was a report of a burglary and money stolen late Tuesday or early Wednesday morning from S & J Main Street Bar in Columbia. The Columbia Police Department and the Illinois State Police Crime Lab are investigating the incident. The bar and restaurant was closed Wednesday over lunch hour while the investigation was conducted.

Thousands of people were able to visit the Moving Vietnam Wall while it was in Hecker last week. A closing ceremony took place Monday, Labor Day. Among those in attendance were area veterans and elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello.

“This memorial provides an opportunity for all Americans to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War,” said Costello. “Hosting the Moving Wall in Hecker provided area residents who may not be able to travel to Washington, D.C. the opportunity to experience this moving tribute.”

Bud Light Brigade drummer Rick Buettner of Waterloo pauses to read about Cpl. Richard Daugherty, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Daugherty, who, in 1968, was the first Monroe County resident to die in Vietnam. - photo by Judy Brinkmann

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the report of vandalism last weekend at Dennis Rodenberg’s property on Stringtown Road in rural Fults. In addition to doing doughnuts in Rodenberg’s and his neighbor’s yard, the vandals took an air compressor and a 100-foot extension cord from Rodenberg’s shed. The cord was tied to the compressor and drug behind a car for several miles. The items were found heavily damaged in a field near Earl Henerfauth’s old place near Prairie du Rocher. In addition, several newly-installed Great River Road Ride signs were taken from their posts along Bluff Road and laid outside of Rodenberg’s shed. Rodenberg has been the target of acts of vandalism several times in the past, including his shed being hit by rocks and bullets. He is hoping those responsible are apprehended.

Boy Scouts from Troop 320 took down the flags Tuesday along Main Street in Columbia. The Avenue of Flags was on display over the Labor Day Weekend. – photo by John Idoux

The public is invited to go out to eat Friday, Sept. 5, at the Monroe County Relay for Life at the fairgrounds. Food booths open at 5 p.m. Items include chili, rib-eye steaks, pork, cheeseburgers, pasta, chicken soup, fruit, ice cream, chocolate covered bananas, desserts, snacks and soft drinks. The Children’s Fun Land is open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and includes face painting, finger nail painting, a bounce house, clowns, a magician and various games and prizes.

The Relay’s opening ceremony is at 7 p.m. The Bud Light Brigade will lead the cancer survivors on their survivor lap around the fairgrounds. The luminary ceremony is at 9 p.m.

The evening’s entertainment includes sumo wrestling beginning at 5 p.m., and a musical performance by Steve “Elvis” Davis at 11:30 p.m. The event concludes on Saturday morning at 6 a.m., with a victory lap.

“We Relay because we have hope the money we raise will increase awareness about the prevention and early detection of cancer,” said Sheryl Metzger, chairman of the event. “We hope the money will help fund research to find a cure for a disease that has affected all of us.”

Brenda Davis, a Hecker Schreder from home, celebrated her 50th birthday on Aug. 30. Family and friends gathered at the Maeystown Sportsmen’s Club to mark the occasion.

Big screen, outdoor movies at Metter Memorial Park will be shown free Friday, Sept. 12, and Friday, Oct.10. The movie "Cars" will be shown Sept. 12 and "Back To The Future" will be shown Oct. 10. The shows begin at dusk. The movies are sponsored by local businesses. In the event of rain the movies will be shown at the Monroe County YMCA. Information is available by contacting Jackie Hausmann at 281-7144, Ext. 106 or jackie@columbiaillinois.com or by visiting the city website at www.columbiaillinois.com.

Serrelda Kaye Smothers nee Myers, 64, of Waterloo, died Sept. 1, 2008, in St. Louis, Mo. She was born Feb. 23, 1944, in Clinton, Kent., the daughter of the late Clifton and Mary (nee Rabey) Myers. She is survived by her husband, James R. Smothers; children James C. “Smudge” (Lori) Smothers of Waterloo and Sandra (Jeffrey) Vander Heyden of St. Louis, Mo.; grandchildren Lucas and Derek Smothers and Meranda Vander Heyden; a sister, Pat (Lee) Eberhart of Caseyville; and brothers Robert (Lois) Myers of Gravois Mills, Mo., and Wray (Carol) Moore and Corinth, Miss.; along with sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. Mrs. Smothers was preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Gregory. Visitation was at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Thursday, Sept. 4, 12 noon, at Quernheims, Pastor Steve Neil officiating. Mrs. Smothers will be buried at the Waterloo Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Gustavia Eckert nee Hauptfleisch, 81, of Waterloo, died Sept. 2, 2008, in St. Louis, Mo. She was born July 23, 1927 in Columbia, the daughter of the late Gustav and Olga (nee Wilde) Hauptfleisch and stepfather Ervin Eichelmann. She is survived by husband, Earl Eckert; children Marlou Eckert (Mark Raeber) of Millstadt, Glen (Nancy) Eckert of Waterloo and Diane (Kenny) Kern of Waterloo; grandchildren Angie (Bill) Wirth, Casey (Jean) Eckert and Kendra Kern; and great-grandchild, Nora Wirth; along with a sister-in-law, brother-in-law, a niece, nephew and cousins. She was a member of St. Paul UCC of Waterloo and the Monroe County Home Extension. Visitation is Sunday, Sept. 7, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Monday, Sept. 8, 11 a.m., at St. Paul UCC of Waterloo, Pastor Doug Robert officiating. Mrs. Eckert will be buried at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to her church’s elevator fund.

August "Gus" Koch, 81, of Columbia, died, Aug. 28, 2008. He was born April 11, 1927 in Burksville, the son of the late Charles and Minnie (Sickmeyer) Koch. He married Arlou (Weilbacher) Koch in 1949 in Columbia. She died on May 21, 2008. He is survived by sons Larry (Caty) Koch of Wilton, Conn., Marty (Janet) Koch of Arnold, Mo., and Kevin (Cindy) Koch of Columbia; and five grandchildren; along with other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by brothers Charles and Alvin Koch; and sisters Irene Lang and Bernice Beattie. Gus had been a Distributor of Shaklee Products, and was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia. A memorial mass will be Saturday, Sept. 6, 10 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia, Fr. Steve Gira officiating. Mr. Koch gifted his body for scientific study. Memorials may be made to the Immaculate Conception School Education Fund.

Matilda Crook, 89, of Bartonville, died Aug. 29, 2008, at her home with her family by her side. She was born April 10, 1919 in Waterloo to Edward T. and Matilda Mary (Brueggemann) Moffitt. She married Walter L. Crook in Waterloo on Nov. 20, 1940. He preceded her in death on March 15, 1989. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Henry Moffitt. Surviving are a daughter, Linda (Richard) Phillips; and grandchildren, Desiree (Todd) Colvin and Rick Phillips. Matilda was the owner and operator of the OK Motel in Pacific, Mo., before retiring in 1975. She was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Bartonville and its Women's Group. Visitation was at Davison-Fulton Bartonville Chapel in Bartonville. Funeral was at St. Anthony's Catholic Church. Visitation and funeral services were also held at Quernheim Funeral Home. She was buried at S.S. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Waterloo. Memorials may be made to the building fund at her church.

Ronald Gulley, 57, of Columbia, died Aug.30, 2008. He was born Nov. 11, 1950, in East St. Louis, the son of the late Henry and Nina (Cleveland) Gulley. He was employed as an optician with Hoya Vision in Columbia, was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of Columbia American Legion Post 581. Surviving are daughter, Roxanne (Brian) Wheeler; sons Ryan Gulley and Ross (Kayla) Gulley; former wife, Renee (Riebeling) Gulley; grandchildren Jaydin Gulley and Keegan Gulley; brother, Dennis Gulley, all of Columbia; sisters Betty (Earl) Gummersheimer of East Carondelet and Patsy (Bob) Phoenix of Ava; brother, Terry (Wanda) Gulley, Moultrie, Ga.; and aunt, Bonita (Curtis) Wiechert of Dupo; along with nieces, nephews, great nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Visitation and funeral were at Lawlor Funeral Home, with Pastor Bob Goddard officiating. He was buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Mo. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Family of Ron Gulley.