Today's News - September 30, 2008

Prange Retiring As County Treasurer –

Recommends Koenigstein As Replacement

Merrill Prange
(file photo, apparently taken a few years ago)

Longtime Monroe County Treasurer Merrill Prange has announced he is retiring from his position after more than 30 years in office.

“Well, I’m over 60 now and I knew the day for me to retire was coming,” Prange said.

He said he plans to spend more time tending to his garden and acting as caretaker for the Fults Cemetery.

“Digging graves will keep me busy,” he added.

He had been keeping an eye open for a qualified candidate to fill his vacancy, Prange said. Several months ago he heard Kevin Koenigstein of Columbia was looking for a change of career.

“He’s a really good guy that is highly qualified for the position,” Prange said. “And he is a Republican.”

Koenigstein, 42, grew up on farm in rural Hecker. After earning a master’s degree in agricultural finance, he worked for the Illinois Farm Development Authority in Springfield and then the banking industry. He currently has been employed at SIU-E’s Ethanol Research Center. He lives in Columbia with his wife, Lil, and their children. Koenigstein will accompany Prange to next Monday’s meeting of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners. They are scheduled to vote whether or not to appoint Prange’s choice of his successor.

Prange plans to stick around the office on a volunteer basis through Nov. 30, which is the end of the fiscal year, to ease the transition. His wife, Sheryl, will continue to work in the treasurer’s office for at least another year.

One Injured When SUV Rolls Into Creek Bed

A woman from Dupo was injured in an accident Monday night on Imbs Station Road in rural East Carondelet. The Ford Explorer she was driving went off the road about one mile from Old State Route 3, and rolled down an embankment. The vehicle came to rest on its side at the bottom of a creek bed. Firefighters and ambulance crews from Dupo and Columbia worked together to extricate the woman from the vehicle and carry her up the hill to an ambulance. She was taken to a St. Louis hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Her name has not yet been released.

Propane Tank Rolls Over In Accident Near Renault

A blown rear tire on a truck hauling propane gas caused the vehicle to roll onto its side Tuesday morning along V V Road, just east of Renault. The driver of the Amerigas truck was able to safely exit the vehicle. Firefighters from Prairie du Rocher and Red Bud arrived at the scene and were able to stop the leaking gas.

Smoke Detector Wakes Woman In Burning Dupo House

The Dupo Fire Department was called to put out a fire Sept. 29 at a home in the 900 block of Columbia Road. Firefighters from Prairie du Pont and Columbia also provided assistance. The fire started in the dryer and smoke from burning clothes quickly filled the home, said Dupo Fire Chief Kurt Johnson. The woman was sleeping in the bedroom at the time of the fire and was awakened by a smoke detector. “Fire damage was limited to the laundry room, but there was smoke damage throughout the home,” said Johnson. Firefighters helping Johnson, right, remove the smoke from the house are Columbia Fire Chief Mike Roediger, left, and Prairie du Pont Firefighter T.J. Hagedorn.

Recent Obituaries

Sharron L. Gerber nee Bruce, 69, of Waterloo, died Sept. 28, 2008, in Waterloo. She was born Oct. 4, 1938, in East St. Louis, the daughter of the late Loren Bruce Sr. and Ina Bruce nee Pugh. She was married to the late Edwin J. “Curley” Gerber. Mrs. Berber is survived by her children Patti (Robert) Whitworth of Raleigh, N.C., and Donna (Jacob) Robert of Waterloo; grandchildren Sarah (Nick) McLamb of Willow Spring, N.C., Shawn Whitworth of Nashville, Tenn., Melissa Robert of Waterloo and Andrew Robert of Waterloo; great-grandchildren Will McLamb and Walker McLamb; siblings Joan Tebbenhoff of Terre du Lac, Mo., Carolyn (Joe) Knepper of Belleville, Peggy (Tony) Sosa of Pineville, La., Winona (Harry) Reichert of Columbia, and Loren (Jeanette) Bruce Jr. of Waterloo; dear friend Anne Marie Wilson of Waterloo; and her beloved dog Belle; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Jeannette Parks, and her children’s father, William G. Smith Jr. Mrs. Gerber was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ of Waterloo and the American Legion Auxiliary. Visitation is Wednesday, Oct. 1, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Thursday, Oct. 2, 11 a.m., at St. Paul UCC of Waterloo, Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein officiating. She will be buried at Waterloo Cemetery. Memorials may be made to her church.

Donald J. Kaiping Sr., 73, of Waterloo, died Sept. 28, 2008, in St. Louis. He was born Oct. 25, 1934, in St. Louis, the son of the late Bernard and Clara J. Kaiping nee Dierker. He was married to Carol J. Kaiping nee Sherwood. Mr. Kaiping is survived by his wife; children David B. (Kathryn) Kaiping, Stephen P. Kaiping, Donald J. (Connie) Kaiping Jr., Ronald S. (Kelly) Kaiping, James C. (Phyliss) Kaiping, Kathleen M. (Mark) Steele, and Timothy J. (Julie) Kaiping; grandchildren Charity (Derek) Eugea, Elizabeth (Nathan) Mifflin, Emily Kaiping, Christine Kaiping, D.J. Kaiping, Erica Kaiping, Cassie Kaiping, Jodi Kaiping, Cole Kaiping, Josh Kaiping, Hallie Kaiping, Emma Kaiping, Angela Steele and Matt Steele; great-grandson Grant Eugea; sister Maryann Raic; and brother Bernard Kaiping. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Katherine Muzzy. Mr. Kaiping was a member of the Boy Scouts of America and the American Legion. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the 20th Military Police. Visitation was Tuesday, Sept. 30, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Wednesday, Oct. 1, 9:45 p.m., at SS. Peter and Paul Church in Waterloo, Monsignor William Hitpas officiating. He will be buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. Memorials may be made to DeGreeff Hospice House or St. Anthony’s Medical Center.

William Ralph Minton, 83, of Waterloo, died Sept. 29, in Red Bud. He was born April 1, 1925, in Hopkins County, Kent., the son of the late Rupert and Rena  (nee Browning) Minton. Mr. Minton is survived by his wife, Delma Minton nee Nottmeier; a son, Paul (Teresa) Minton; grandson, Nicholas Minton; granddaughter, Maria Minton; sisters-in-law Erna Spargo and Sherron Nottmeier; and cousin, Francis Chaconas. He was preceded in death by a sister, Imogene Biggs; nephews Jerry Biggs and Dennis Biggs; and brothers-in-law Oliver Nottmeier, William Spargo and William Biggs. He was a retired farmer who attended Zion UCC of St. Joe. Mr. Minton was a member of operating Engineers Local 520 and East Lodge 504 A.F. & A.M. Visitation is Wednesday, Oct. 1, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Thursday, Oct. 2, 2 p.m., at Zion UCC of St. Joe, Pastor Nancy Spier-Lee officiating. He will be buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to his church.