Today's News - April 6, 2009

Sun Pops Out From Clouds Just In Time In Maeystown  

Children race out of the gate and head toward the hidden eggs Sunday during the Maeystown Sportsman’s Club Easter Egg Hunt. Although it was rainy and overcast all morning, the sun peaked out of the clouds just in time for the annual event.

Gage Few of Waterloo visits with the Easter Bunny during the Maeystown Sportsman’s Club Easter Egg Hunt.

Opening Weekend For Morel Mushrooms

The entire St. Louis Metropolitan area is abuzz today about the opening of morel mushroom hunting season. “They started popping last week and we found about 30,” reports Vet Dwight Boehm, who would not disclose the exact location where they were picked. “All I’ll say is that they were spotted on the ground in the woods,” he added. His wife, Liz Vollmer, grill up the mushrooms for a wonderful Sunday-evening family meal.

 Man Pulled Alive From Mississippi River

A man attempting to commit suicide by jumping off the J.B. Bridge on Sunday afternoon was pulled out alive by a boat from the St. Louis City Fire Department Water Rescue Unit. The Columbia Fire Department also launched their rescue boat from Luhr’s Landing and assisted St. Louis County’s efforts. Also on scene were Columbia police officers and the Columbia Ambulance Service.

Burning Bales In Maeystown: The Maeystown Fire Department was called out Sunday to put out straw bales which had caught on fire near the intersection of LL Road and Maus Road.

Lightning struck a tree and set it on fire Sunday afternoon at 628 East Fourth Street near Konarcik Park in Waterloo. The tree was smoking when Waterloo firefighters arrived on the scene and it was quickly extinguished. (Ed-itor’s Note: In light of the increased taxes, it is not known how a tree could afford to purchase a pack of cigarettes.)

The Monroe County Retired Teachers’ Association will meet Monday, April 20, at the Monroe County Annex Building in Waterloo. The business meeting is at 11:30 a.m., and lunch is served at 12 noon at a cost of $9. Guest speaker Robert Cook’s program is Presidential Wit and Humor. Reservations should be made by April 9. In addition, membership dues of $10 are needed by April 20. For info., call Portia Stueve at 939-8942 or Kathy (Landgraf) Kuehner at 281-3965.

Car Seat Check: The Monroe County Ambulance Service will conduct a Car Seat Check-Point on April 18 at the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day. Car seat technicians will be on hand from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. to verify the seats are installed properly.

WHS Rocks Out Friday Night For Battle Of The Bands

Performing “Cries In Vain” are Break These Walls’ bandmates Logan Ward, Josh Bequette, Kevin Fitzgerald and Eric Buettner (hidden).          – photo by Gage Wienhoff

Rock band The Premier took home first place Friday evening during the Waterloo High School German Club’s annual Battle of the Bands. Break These Walls came in second place. “There were a lot of talented musicians on hand. There was even one band which mostly screamed their lyrics,” said Gage Wienhoff, Independent cub reporter and music critic.

CHS Swings And Sings Through Dinner

The 1950’s was the theme last week at the annual Columbia High School Choir Dinner. CHS Choral Director Patti French said she was very proud of the hard work her students put into their singing and dancing. French is also rooting for her husband, Mike, who is running in Tuesday’s election for a trustee with the Millstadt village board. He was appointed to replace Milton Touchette a couple years ago and this is his first time at running for office.

Singing For Their Supper At The VFW

Dennis Rippelmeyer kept things lively Friday evening at the Waterloo VFW’s fish fry. His personality really shown through while he called out to-go orders ready for pick up to the delight of all in attendance. Post Commander Stephanie Kirksey said fish plate sales have been brisk all Lent. “We’ll be ready for next week, which is Good Friday,” added Kirksey. In addition to his skills with the microphone, Monroe County native Rippelmeyer also studies astronomy, meterorology and his German anscenstry. “It was really schnoodling outside Monday morning,” said Rippelmeyer regarding today’s blustery mix of sleet and snow.

Recent Obituaries

Laverne Diekemper, nee Sommer, 76, of Waterloo, died April 5, 2009. She was born Jan. 29, 1933 in Red Bud, the daughter of the late Joseph and Octavia (nee Haberl) Sommer. Mrs. Diekemper is survived by her husband, Paul James Diekemper; children Ralph (Lee) Diekemper of Harrisburg, Penn., Eric (Ami) Diekemper of Edwardsville; Ellen (Howard) Heavner of Valmeyer; Jean Diekemper of St. Louis, Mo., Martha Diekemper of St. Charles, Mo., and Matt Diekemper of Dupo; grandchildren Ryan (Sarah) Heavner, Anna (Sean) Gibney, Andrew, Joseph and Jonathan Heavner, Danielle Diekemper, Kathryn, Emily and Allison Diekemper and Ashtin Diekemper; and Norene Becker of Waterloo, Jeannette Theobald of Nashville, Mary (Ron) Wallace of Elsberry, Mo., Richard (Jane) Sommer of Edwardsville, Robert (Joan) Sommer of Kent, Wash., and Dorothy (Chris) Homeier of Springfield; along with sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by a sister, Ruth Sommer. Mrs. Diekemper attended SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Waterloo where she was a member of the Mary and Martha Society was a former trustee. She was also a member of the Waterloo American Legion’s Ladies Auxiliary and Belleville Board of Realtors. Visitation is Tuesday, April 7, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Wednesday, April 8, at 10 a.m., at SS. Peter and Paul Church in Waterloo with Monsignor Thomas Flach officiating. Mrs. Diekemper will be buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to masses at her church or to Hospice of Southern Illinois.

Kevin J. Farmer Sr., 56, of Waterloo, died April 5, 2009, in Belleville. He was born May 19, 1952 in St. Louis, Mo., the son of the late Thomas Farmer and Theresa (nee Turner) Jamison. Mr. Farmer is survived by his wife, Roberta (nee Marquardt) Farmer; children Bob Koch of Waterloo, Gina (Dave) Jennings of Waterloo; Samantha (Clay) Hedrick of Ellington, Mo., Rhonda (John) Hanegan of Columbia; Melissa (Keith) Bass of Ellington, Mo., and Kevin (Kezia) Farmer Jr. of Ellington, Mo.; and a sister, Patricia (Jerry) Brown of Valmeyer; along with 11 grandchildren, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law; nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Farmer was a member of the Valmeyer American Legion Post, Maeystown Sportsman’s Club and was a Lifetime Member of the NRA. Visitation is Monday, April 6, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. The funeral is Tuesday, April 7, at 10 a.m., at the funeral home with Pastor Steve Neill officiating. Mr. Farmer will be buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Mo.

Kate Culver, 89, formerly of Lincoln, Mass., died April 3, 2009, at Faith Countryside Homes in Highland. She was born Jan. 6, 1920, in Newark, New Jersey, the daughter of the late Dr. Royal and Helen (Thomas) Schaaf. She married Dr. Perry James Culver. He died in 2006. Mrs. Culver is survived by a daughter, Robin (Wilson) Groves of Brownsville, Vermont; a daughter, Rev. Sheldon Culver of Highland; sons Dr. Perry (Kit) Culver Jr. of Prairie Village, Kan., Devore (Holly) Culver of Providence, Rhode Island; grandchildren Emily, Silas, Gordon and Sam Culver;  and a brother, Royal (Mildred) Schaaf of Califon, New Jersey; along with other relatives and friends. Mrs. Culver was a member of the First Parish Church of Lincoln, Mass. She was active in the League of Women Voters, Massachusetts General Hospital Auxiliary, the Alliance for Democracy and other peace and justice organizations. Visitation is Thursday, April 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at St. Paul UCC of Columbia. A memorial service will be held at 1p.m., with Pastor Bob Goddard officiating. Memorials may be made to the Wellesley College Scholarship Fund, the Alliance For Democracy or St. Paul UCC of Columbia.  

Sarah Davenport, 97, of Waterloo, died April 3, 2009. She was born Oct. 28, 1911 in St. Louis, Mo. Mrs. Davenport donated her body to science. A memorial service will be held April 16, at 10 a.m., at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Waterloo.