News Update - January 7, 2010

One Injured In Three-Car Accident On Route 3

Rita Blissenbach of Waterloo was injured yesterday evening in a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Route 3 and North Moore Street in Waterloo. According to the initial report, Les Niemann of Waterloo was driving a Ford F-150 truck on North Moore Street. As he attempted to cross over Route 3, he drove into the path of a Jeep Liberty driven by Blissenbach, also of Waterloo. Blissenbach was transferred by the Monroe County  Ambulance Service to St. Anthony’s Hospital for treatment. Niemann was ticketed for failing to yield to oncoming traffic.

The Independent’s weather bureau recorded just over three inches of snow at its headquarters in downtown Columbia.

Recent Obituaries

Alexander Edward Tegtmeier, 77, of Millstadt, died Jan. 5, 2010 at his residence. He was born June 11, 1932 in Millstadt, the son of the late Lorraine and Elvira (nee Nold) Tegtmeier. Mr. Tegtmeier is survived by his wife, Patricia Tegtmeier; sons Shaun McGuire and Scott McGuire; a daughter, Sue Ann Tegtmeier; grandchildren Patrick, Chloe and Lille McGuire; brothers Kurt (Ann( Tegtmeier and Carl (Liz) Tegtmeier; nieces and nephews Kurt Tegtmeier Jr., Phillip Tegtmeier, Lynn Danis, Katie Curdiff, Chris Tegtmeier and Jenny Tegtmeier. Mr. Tegtmeier retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the Air National Guard and later from Hartford Insurance Company as a claims adjuster. He attended Faith Family Church in Shiloh. Alex was a life member of the Sister Cities organizations in Millstadt and Columbia, the Masonic Lodge in Belleville and the Millstadt American Legion Post 502. Visitation is Friday, Jan. 8, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Strauss-Leesman Funeral Home in Millstadt. Funeral is Saturday, Jan. 9, at 10 a.m., at Faith Family Church in Shiloh with Pastor Rick Hufton officiating. Mr. Tegtmeier will be buried at Valhalla Gardens of Memorial in Belleville. Memorials may be made to his church.

Donald J. Jones, 56, of Columbia, died Jan. 3, 2010 at his residence. He was born May 14, 1953, in East St. Louis, the son of the late Donald and Jeannette (nee Brennan) Jones. Mr. Jones is survived by his wife, Debra (nee Darnell) Jones; a son, Mark Jones of Columbia; a daughter, Elizabeth (Peter) Wszalek of Shiloh; brother, Lawrence (Tammy) Jones of Brighton; a sister, Stephanie (Tom) Werner of Swansea; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Clyde and Georgiana Darnell, Sandy (Orville Heyworth) Darnell and Charles Tina Gregory; along with 14 nieces and nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews, other relatives and friends. Mr. Jones was retired from the U.S. Postal Service, working several years at the Columbia Post Office. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and earned a masters degree from SIU Edwardsville. Mr. Jones was a past-governor of Caseyville Moose Lodge 4 and a past-treasurer of the Columbia Rotary Club and the Columbia Music Boosters. Donald was an avid Cardinals baseball and NASCAR fan. Visitation is Thursday, Jan. 7, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Lake View Funeral Home in Fairview Heights. A funeral will immediately follow with the Rev. Darrell Jones officiating. Mr. Jones will be buried at Lake View Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights. Memorials may be made to are Hospice of Southern Illinois.