Today's News - December 30, 2009

Columbia To Play For Third Place In Holiday Tourney

Last night’s game between Columbia and Murphysboro was close throughout, but the Red Devils dialed up the defense in the second half leading to several turnovers by the Eagles. CHS fell 47-39, sending Murphysboro into the championship game tonight against Triad. Columbia will take on Freeburg in the third place game. Tip-off is today at 6:30 p.m. Waterloo is coming off of a 50-44 victory over Gibault on Tuesday afternoon. The Bulldogs will play Lebanon in the fifth place game at 5 p.m. Gibault will take on Marquette at 3:30 p.m. for seventh place. Rounding out Wednesday’s action will be the ninth place game pitting Valmeyer versus Civic Memorial at 2 p.m.

Columbia's Tanner Hall, left, goes up strong for two points during varsity basketball action against Murphysboro.      - photos by Bob Haentzler / game photos online at www.gatewayphoto.net         

Gibault’s Nick Kovarik, right, is fouled as he attempts a shot over Waterloo’s Nick Bretwisch. Waterloo won the contest 50-44.     - photos by Bob Haentzler / game photos online at www.gatewayphoto.net         

The SPPS Boys’ Basketball Team is set to play tonight in the championship game of the SPPS Holiday Tournament. They are scheduled to take on Albers-Damiansville. Tip-off is at 8 p.m. In first round play, Albers-Damiansville defeated Valmeyer, Dupo fell to Millstadt, S.P.P.S. defeated Prairie du Rocher and Smithton beat the St. Clare Knights from O’Fallon. In the second round, Albers-Damiansville won over Millstadt, S.P.P.S. defeated Smithton, Valmeyer fell to Dupo and Rocher was victorious over St. Clare. 

The playoff games will be held today with Dupo taking on Rocher in the consolation game (5:30 p.m.), Smithton and Millstadt compete for the third place trophy at 6:45 p.m., before the championship between SPPS and Albers-Damiansville. In addition to the team trophies, 10 players will be named to the All-Tournament Team, as well as a Tournament MVP.

SPPS’ Wes Degener, center, pulls down a rebound in a game earlier this season against Waterloo Junior High School.   - photos by Bob Haentzler / game photos online at www.gatewayphoto.net         

A Social Security Representative will not be available in January or February at the Monroe County Courthouse. The representative will return on Tuesday, March 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 am. For more info., call 1-800-772-1213 or 618-482-9110.

Valmeyer residents 50 and over are invited to the Valmeyer Jaycees annual Golden Age Breakfast. The free meal will be served on Sunday, Jan. 3, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., a the Valmeyer Legion Hall. 

Recent Obituaries

Clara L. Kohlmeier, nee Hoffmann, 92, of Waterloo, died Dec. 27, 2009 in Waterloo. She was born March 29, 1917, the daughter of the late George and Caroline (nee Boehne) Hoffmann. She is survived by her son, Wayne Kohlmeier; grandchildren Amy Kohlmeier, Sarah (Tom) Roehm, Andrew Kohlmeier and Elizabeth Kohlmeier; great-grandson Alex Roehm; sisters-in-law Audrey Hoffmann and Lillian Kohlmeier; and brothers-in-law Wilbert Kohlmeier and Lewis Lich; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sylvester Kohlmeier; brothers Roland, Erich and Louis Hoffmann; and a sister, Ardina Buettner. She was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church and Ladies Aid. Visitation is Saturday, Jan. 2, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Sunday, Jan. 3, at 2 p.m., at Holy Cross Lutheran Church is Wartburg with Pastor Stuart Rethwisch officiating. Mrs. Kohlmeier will be buried at Holy Cross Lutheran Cemetery in Waterloo. Memorials may be made to her church.

David D. Archer, 83, of Columbia, died Dec. 27, 2009 at Barnes Jewish Medical Center in St. Louis. He was born Sept. 28, 1926 in Painton Mo., the son of the late Charles and Daisy (Hess) Archer. Mr. Archer married Ruth Ann (nee Wilde) Archer on Aug. 2, 1950. In addition to his wife, Mr. Archer is survived by daughters Gail Lynn Morrow and Carol Ann (Michael) Wilde; grandchildren Keith Sackman, Chad (Angie) Sackman and Carrie (Steve) Brumm; great-grandchildren Allie, Mia and Luke Sackman; sisters Genevieve Hogue and Rosemary Weston; aunt, Flora Hess; and brother-in-law, Doyle Richmond. He was preceded in death by a sister, Irene Richmond; and a brother in infancy, George Archer. Mr. Archer served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbia. He was retired from Bethesda Hospital, where he worked as a maintenance supervisor. Visitation is Wednesday, Dec. 30, from 12 noon to 2 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home. A service will immediately follow with Pastor Edward Melchoir officiating. Mr. Archer will be buried at Evangelical St. Paul Cemetery in Columbia. Memorials may be made to his church’s building fund.

Norma Ruth Wann, nee Stegall, 75, of Waterloo, died Dec. 25, 2009 at the Columbia Convalescent Center. She was born Feb. 9, 1934 in Flat River, Mo., the daughter of the late Willard and Dollie (nee Barton) Stegall. Mrs. Wann is survived by daughters Chery (Terry) Ward and Lisa (Gaylon) Busby; sons Rick (Mona) Wann and Mike (Kim) Wann; a brother, Dennis (Cathy) Stegall; sisters Carol (Jim) Wilbanks and Betty (Bill) Mahurin; 10 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Darrell Wann; and brothers Darrell and Ronnie Stegall. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. Visitation and funeral were at DeFabio Funeral Home Pastor Tony Troup officiating. Mrs. Wann is buried at Smithton City Cemetery.

Doris R. Hamilton, 82, of Pacific, Mo., formerly of Columbia, died Dec. 27, 2009, in Pacific, Mo. She was born July 8, 1927, in Toms River, NJ. She married David K. Hamilton on Oc. 21, 1944. He died in 1998. Mrs. Hamilton is survived by her son, Patrick (Mary) Hamilton of Pacific, Mo.; a daughter, Sheila (Jeffrey) Smethers of Branson, Mo.; grandchildren John Spytek, Ryan Hamilton, Jessica Hamilton, Kirsten Smethers, Alyssa Smethers and David Hamilton; siblings Ed (Marion) Gesser, Sue Hilliard, Anita (Joe) Truono, Jeannie Kelly, all of New Jersey, and Ruthe (Jim) Smith of Tennessee. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Debra Hamilton Spytek; grandson, Jason Spytek; and a brother, Fred Gesser. She was a former member of the First Baptist Church in Columbia. Visitation is Thursday, Dec. 31, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. A funeral service will immediately follow with Pastor Jonathan Peters officiating. Mrs. Hamilton will be buried at the Evangelical St. Paul Cemetery in Columbia.

Harold B. Bagsby, 88, of Columbia, died  Dec. 27, 2009 in Waterloo. He was born March 20, 1921 in Fancy Farm, Kent., the son of late John and Flossie (nee Cockrell) Bagsby. He is survived by his wife, Juanita (nee Martin) Bagsby; daughters Virginia “Penny” (Wayne) Jennings and Mary Lynn (John) Moss; step-children Ann (Gerald) Stockel and Janet (Laurence) Dauphin; sisters-in-law Shannon (Edwin) Matzenbacher, Mary Lou (Henry) Ahne and Elaine Bagsby; brothers Rudy Bagsby, Leo (Janet) Bagsby, James Bagsby and John Bagsby; a sister, Lucille Cissell; and brothers-in-law Alfred Dehn and Jim Gidley; along with grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and step-grandchildren. Mr. Bagsby was preceded in death by his first wife of 51years, Ardell (nee Cockrell) Bagsby; a son, Kenneth Bagsby; brothers William and Claude Bagsby; sisters Barbara Gidley and Ann Dehn; and a grandchild, Ruth Bagsby. Mr. Bagsby worked as a laborer and an upholsterer. He was a 50-year member of the VFW. Visitation and funeral were at DeFabio Funeral Home. Mr. Bagsby was buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Oak Hill Nursing Home or Hospice of Southern Illinois.