Today's News - November 9, 2009

Korean War Servicemen Honored During Waterloo’s Veteran’s Day Program

More than 60 veterans of the Korean War were recognized Saturday during Waterloo’s Veteran’s Day ceremony at the VFW Hall. “We want to honor those who have given so much to their country,” said VFW Commander Stephanie Kirksey, of those who served in during the conflict in Korea during the early 1950s. A wreath laying ceremony will take place Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m., at the Veterans Memorial at Lakeview Park.

Korean War veterans gather following Waterloo’s Veteran’s Day ceremony at the VFW Hall.

Korean War veteran Ray Schmidt, center, is recognized by Rep. Dan Reitz during Waterloo’s Veteran’s Day program Saturday at the Waterloo VFW.

Veterans Day will be honored Nov. 11 at the Valmeyer American Legion Hall. Cocktail hour is at 5 p.m. with dinner served at 6 pm. Commander Glenn Coats said the Post will hold a short business meeting before dinner to take the place of the regular November meeting. Post Commander Glenn Coats and Auxiliary President Alberta Wild urge all Legion members to attend this important once-a year event. “It is always an enjoyable evening,” said Coats. “You meet with friends and family to honor and remember our veterans of all wars, especially those who gave their lives for our freedoms.” During the evening, the Auxiliary will raffle a hand-made, queen-sized quilt. This raffle is the Auxiliary’s main yearly fund-raiser. “Raffle tickets are on sale now and can also be purchased during the Veterans Day meeting,” said Wild.

The Columbia American Legion Post 581’s annual Veterans Day program will be Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m., at the Post Hall at 375 Locust Street. The guest speaker will be James Donahoe, president of the board of the St. Louis Fisher House, which houses family members of those at the V.A. Hospital. Other speakers will include Columbia Mayor Kevin Hutchinson, Monroe County Commissioner Michael Kovarik and local attorney Floyd Crowder. The program is free and open to the public.

Red Bud ran into a very strong team from Casey-Westfield (11-0) on Saturday in a second-round game of the Class 1A playoffs. The Warriors scored on their opening drive and never looked back on their way to a 43-7 victory. The Musketeers put themselves in a hole early in the first quarter with a blocked punt and a sack on another punt attempt. With great field position on nearly every possession in the first half, Casey-Westfield built a 21-0 halftime lead.

In the second half, the Casey-Westfield coach was able to pull some of his starters out of the game to rest them for next week’s opponent. The Musketeers showed some life against the Warriors second-stringers and completed a series of long passes in the fourth quarter culminating in a touchdown from quarterback Jake Hoffman to receiver Tyler Henry.

Despite the score, the Red Bud fans remained loyal to the boys in maroon and rooted them on until the last snap. The players were greeted to a standing ovation as they walked off the field. Big fan John Horrell even shot off several rounds of his trademark fireworks after the game from his driveway across from the field.

Red Bud running backs were limited to 27 yards on 23 carries against a strong Casey-Westfield defense. Hoffman was limited to nine yards on 19 carries, including several times caught behind the line of scrimmage and numerous sacks on pass attempts. In the air, Hoffman was 12-28 for 132 yards. Musketeers star running back, sophomore Tyler Hubert, was sidelined with a torn ACL in his knee suffered in the first-round playoff victory over Chester.

Red Bud ended the season with an 8-3 record. With Hoffman, Hubert and several other key players returning next year, the team is hoping for a big season in 2010. “Look out next year!” said Coach Dave Lucht.

Red Bud quarterback Jake Hoffman, right, dives for a couple extra yards.              - photo by Bob Haentzler - game photo at www.gatewayphoto.net

Casey-Westfield runner Billy Seely, right, busts past the Red Bud defense on his way to 133 yards rushing for the day.

Red Bud receiver Mitchell Cleveland, center, runs past several Casey-Westfield defenders on his way for a big gain.                  – photo by Gage Wienhoff

First Baptist Church in Valmeyer celebrated their 45th anniversary Sunday, Nov. 8. Pastor Ron Chase was the special guest pastor.

The Valmeyer High School drama department is gearing up for their fall musical, “Once Upon A Mattress.” Performances will be held at 7 p.m., on Friday, Nov. 13 through Sunday, November 15.

Blood Drive: A Waterloo Community Blood Drive is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at St Paul UCC in downtown Waterloo. To schedule an appointment, call Chairperson Luanne Ragland at 939-1860.

Columbia High School runner Drew Spargo was named All-State for Class 1A boys cross country. He finished 22^nd out of 165 runners Saturday in the Class 1A boys cross country finals in Peoria. His time was a personal best of 15:42 in the three-mile course. Spargo, a sophomore, was the only underclassman to finish in the top 25 in Illinois’ Class 1A.

The Columbia girls cross country team finished in 19^th place Saturday in Illinois’ Class 1A championship run in Peoria. They were led by senior Taylor Byrd (20:26) followed closely by her sister Torey Byrd (20:33), Jenna Vogt (21:29), Brittany Huebner (22:07), Carly Evans (22:47) and Nicole Fetcho (25:39).  

Recent Obituary

Mary Brueggemann, nee Fults, 81, of Hecker, died Nov. 7, 2009, in Red Bud. She was born Dec. 18, 1927 in Valmeyer, the daughter of the late Neil and Hilda (nee Stechmesser) Fults. Mrs. Brueggemann is survived by her husband, Milton “Pat” Brueggemann; daughters Elaine (Dennis) Biffar and Debbie (Charlie) Harbaugh; grandchildren Tony (Traci) Biffar, Jeff (Vicki) Biffar, Doug Biffar, Mary Harbaugh, Laura Harbaugh, Sarah Harbaugh and John Harbaugh; great-grandchildren Devin, Lucas, Emily, Brooke, Brady, Graham, Colton and Henry Biffar; sisters Helen Godare, Darlene (Ben) Yancey and Judy (Bob) Krebel; brothers Jerry (Patty) Fults and Ronnie (Betty) Fults; and sister-in-law Cindy Fults; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her brothers Norman and Russell Fults. Mrs. Brueggemann was a member of St. Augustine Church’s Alter Sodality, the Hecker Community Center and the Waterloo VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Memorials may be made to St. Augustine Catholic Church of Hecker, SS. Peter and Paul Grade School or Gibault High School. Visitation is Monday, Nov. 9, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 10 a.m., at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Hecker. Mrs. Brueggemann will be buried at the church’s cemetery.

Pearl Marie Landgraf, 91, of Columbia, died Nov. 8, 2009 at Columbia Convalescent Center. She was born May 20, 1918, in Belleville, the daughter of the late William and Elizabeth (Dannehold) Juengling. She married Carl "Butts" Landgraf in 1939 in Columbia. He died in 1989. Mrs. Landgraf is survived by her son, Carl “Nudie” (Mary) Landgraf of Columbia; a daughter, Janet Edmiston of Manchester, Mo.; a brother, James Juengling of Columbia; daughter-in-law, Kathy (Neil) Kuehner of Columbia; grandchildren Dawn (Brian) Pansing, Jodi (Chris) Artinger, Abby (Jeff) Ahlers, Cris “Alfie” Landgraf, Brad (Kelly) Landgraf, John Landgraf and Camille (Mark) Borgmann; and great-grandchildren Tara, Taylor, Drew, Max, Dustin, Hailey, Hayden, Brody and Emma. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Jerry Landgraf; sisters Mae Limestall and Vernette Juengling; and a great-grandchild, Adam Artinger. Mrs. Landgraf was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia, the Columbia Gymnastic Association Auxiliary volunteered for the American Red Cross. Visitation is Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral will be Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia with Fr. Carl Scherrer officiating. Mrs. Landgraf will be buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department’s Scholarship Fund or tot the Immaculate Conception School Education Fund.

Melvin L. Frierdich, 79, of Ste. Genevieve, Mo., formerly of Columbia, died Nov. 52, 2009, at Riverview at the Park Rehabilitation Center. He was born July 8, 1930, in Columbia, the son of the late Raymond and Mary (Menner) Frierdich. Mr. Frierdich is survived by his children Melvin David Frierdich of Millstadt, Patricia (Marvin) Taake of Columbia and Susan Shreve of Phoenix, Ariz.; along with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Raymond Frierdich Jr. Mr. Frierdich served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a member of the American Legion and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia. Private funeral services were held. Arrangements were handled by Lawlor Funeral Home.

Michael McMullan, 49, Robertsville, Mo., formerly of Waterloo, died Nov. 7, 2009, of a heart attack. He is survived by his wife, Vicky (Frost) McMullan; a son, David McMullan; parents Dennis and Marie (Kuehner) McMullan of Waterloo; brothers Brian (Deanne), John (Sue) and Matt (Dena Reed) McMullan; and a sister, Kathy (Collin) Metzger. He was preceded in death by grandparents Clem and Victory Kuehner and Hugh and Mattie McMullan. Mr. McMullan worked as a civilian for the Missouri Air National Guard at Lambert Field and was also a member of the Air National Guard. Visitation is Monday, Nov. 9, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Kutis Funeral Home in Afton, Mo., 10151 Gravois Road (near Grant’s Farm). Funeral is Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the funeral home. Mr. McMullan will be buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

Joseph H. Weldele, 81, of Millstadt, died Nov. 7, 2009 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville. He was born Sept. 21, 1928 in St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Weldele is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary (nee Mehrmann) Weldele; a son, Michael (Sherri) Weldele; grandchildren Amber Weldele and Andrea (Mike) Brown; brother, Calvin (Gladys) Weldele; and an aunt, Iona Pfau; along with nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Hilda (nee Hoffmann) Huebner; his father, John Weldele; and grandparents Hugo and Anna Hoffmann. Mr. Weldele served two years in the U.S. Army and was an auto mechanic for 38 years, the last 30 years were at Vollmer’s Garage in Millstadt before retiring in 1990. He was a member of American Legion Post 502 in Millstadt. Joseph enjoyed motorcycles, camping and boating. Visitation is Monday, Nov. 9 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral is Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 11 a.m., at Strauss-Leesman Funeral Home in Millstadt with Rev. Darrell Weber officiating. Mr. Weldele will be buried at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery in Waterloo.

Bernice A. Kossina, 88, of Millstadt, died Nov. 4, 2009 in Roach, Mo. She was born April 2, 1921 in Millstadt, the daughter of the late Charles and Louise (nee Veit) Herrling. Mrs. Kossina was preceded in death by her husband; Lawrence C. Kossina; and a sister, Velma Frierdich. She is survived by her son, Jay (Kathy) Kossina; daughters Judy (Daniel) Simmons and June (Arthur) Baumgartner; grandchildren Jessica and Ian Kossina and Joshua, Charles, Katherine and Michael Simmons; great-grandchildren Trevor Simmons and Preston and Brianna Buffington; a brother-in-law, Robert Kossina; and sisters-in-law Lorraine and Leona Kossina. Mrs. Kossina was a member of Zion Evangelical Church in Millstadt. Visitation is Wednesday, Nov. 11, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Strauss-Leesman Funeral Home in Millstadt. Funeral is Thursday, Nov. 12, at 11 a.m., at the funeral home. Mrs. Kossina will be buried at Mt. Evergreen Cemetery in Millstadt. Memorials may be made to the Millstadt Union Fire Department.

Kenneth Schnepel, 71, of Red Bud, died Nov. 7, 2009, at Des Peres Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. He was born Aug. 7, 1938 in Prairie, the son of the late Theodore and Erna (nee Schwier) Schnepel. Kenny married Jerolyn Bunny Fischer in 1959 in Waterloo. In addition to his wife, Mr. Schnepel is survived by his children, Angel (Jerry) Brown of Ruma, Michael Schnepel of Red Bud, Mark (Michelle) Schnepel of Waterloo and Sara (Nelson) Blengeri of Chicago; grandchildren Ashly, Dany, Taylor, Jack and Wil; a sister-in-law, Carolyn (Pastor Ray) Offermann of Decatur; and a brother-in-law, Don Crook of Waterloo; along with nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Barbara Crook. Mr. Schnepel was president of Audio Visual Service Center in Columbia for 44 years. He loved his family, traveling, fishing and rooting for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. Visitation is Monday, Nov. 9, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home in Red Bud. Funeral is Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 11 a.m., at St. John Lutheran Church in Red Bud with Rev. Mark Nebel officiating. Mr. Schnepel will be buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorial may be made to his church.