Today's News - December 24, 2009

The Waterloo German Band float wrapped up their Christmas experience this evening with their final cruise through Waterloo for the season. Stops Christmas Eve included Remlok, Quail Ridge, The Ridge, East Ridge, Parkwood and Country Lakes. The annual float, sponsored by the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, won a 2009 Governor’s Hometown Award. Becky and Rich Karsten said their family, along with their neighbors truly loved seeing the float cruise by their home this year. “It is a fantastic way to celebrate Christmas as a community,” said Becky. When the Karstens and their two sons heard the float coming down their street, they threw on their coats and ran to the sidewalk. “It was so nice to see many of our neighbors also outside listening to the music and waving to Santa,” Becky added. “I look forward to seeing the float again in 2010.”

Columbia’s Celebration 2009 festivities will conclude Thursday, Dec. 31 with a fireworks display and ringing of church bells that will conclude at midnight. The display will be shot beginning at approximately 11:30 p.m. from the yard of Celebration 2009 Co-chairman Les Schneider’s home just north of Cherry Street overlooking the city (near the Immaculate Conception Cemetery).

The year-long celebration was initiated with a fireworks display and bell-ringing that began at the stroke of midnight Jan. 1, 2009. The Celebration 2009 Committee agreed to conclude the year in similar fashion. The committee decided at its Dec. 10 meeting and Christmas party to continue meeting for at least the next six months until all of its work is completed. A legacy gift to the city, a photojournalism project and compiling a time capsule and a book of remembrances are still in the works.

The annual Columbia – Freeburg Holiday Boys’ Basketball Tournament begins Dec. 26. This year Columbia is the host team. Teams participating are Alton Marquette, Civic Memorial, Freeburg, Lebanon, Triad, Columbia, Murphysboro, Valmeyer, Waterloo and Gibault. The tournament runs through Wednesday, Dec. 30. Local teams playing Saturday, Dec. 26, include Columbia vs. Valmeyer (2 p.m.), Murphysboro vs. Gibault (3:30 p.m.), and Waterloo vs. Columbia (8 p.m.).

Columbia’s Wilson Babb, 32, hangs in the air while putting in a basket Tuesday in the Eagles 68-50 victory over Red Bud.

Recent Obituaries

Stella Joy Carroll, nee Smith, 73, of Columbia, died Dec. 23, 2009, at Atrium Health Care and Rehabilitation Center in Cahokia. She was born Sept. 13, 1936, in St. Louis, Mo., the daughter of Leonard and Lena E. (Bushmeyer) Smith. She married Merlin G. Carroll on June 8m 1961 in Denver, Colo. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Carroll is survived by a son, Scott L. Carroll of Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.; and a daughter, Donna Carroll of Fairview Heights. She was preceded in death by her brothers John D. Smith and James M. Smith. Visitation is Monday, Dec. 28, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral is Tuesday, Dec. 29, at 11 a.m., at First Baptist Church in Dupo with Pastor Roger Reid officiating. Mrs. Carroll will be buried at Mt. Evergreen Cemetery in Millstadt. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of St. Louis.

Agnes M. Faller, née Kraeker, 94, of Millstadt, died Dec. 21, 2009. She was born Jan. 12, 1915 in New Athens, the daughter of her late parents, Joseph and Anna (nee Albert) Kraeker. Mrs. Faller is survived by her daughter, Nancy Mergelkamp; grandchildren Brian (Stacy) Mergelkamp and Debbie (fiancé Keith Stevens) Mergelkamp; and great-grandchildren Anthony and Tyler Mergelkamp. She was preceded in death by her husband, Adolph Faller; two sisters; and two brothers. Visitation and funeral were at Strauss-Leesman Funeral Home in Millstadt with Pastor Michael Kumm officiating. Mrs. Faller was buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery in New Athens. Memorials may be made to the Millstadt Senior Center.