Today's News - January 13, 2010

The Cahokia Conference Junior High boys basketball tournament’s second round continues this evening at Marissa. Waterloo Jr. High will play Freeburg at 6 p.m., followed by SPPS playing Columbia at approximately 7:15 p.m.

Zach Schaab takes an off balance jumper during recent Waterloo Junior High action earlier this season.

With the recent snow and school cancellations behind us, high school basketball continues with many key games upcoming. The Columbia boys’ basketball team is currently 12-4, defeating Waterloo on Tuesday night 59-38. The Sparta tournament begins next week with Columbia playing Lebanon on Jan. 19. The Columbia girls’ basketball record is 10-9 with upcoming games against Wesclin and Breese Central. The Waterloo boys’ team has a record of 5-11 following Tuesday’s loss to Columbia. They now have a tough upcoming game against conference foe Highland. The Bulldogs begin play in the Sparta Tournament on Jan. 20, taking on the host team, Sparta. The Lady Bulldogs squad is 3-10 and next up for them are New Athens and Jerseyville. The Gibault Hawks boys’ team has a record of 6-9 and plays Valmeyer this Friday. The Gibault girls’ team is 8-8, and next up is a game Thursday against Sparta. Valmeyer are having a tough go so far with a record of 1-13. The Pirates travel to Gibault on Friday. The Lady Pirates’ record is 3-10, with upcoming games versus Valley Park and Red Bud.

Columbia's Bryce Bastien, left, goes up for jump shot while being guarded by Waterloo's Toni Nystrom, 3, and Brad Dillenberger, 33, during varsity basketball action Tuesday night at the WHS gym. The game was close after the first half, but Columbia outscored Waterloo 37 to 18 in the second half to cruise to a 59-38 win.                 - photos by Bob Haentzler - photos online at www.gatewayphoto.net

The talk throughout Valmeyer today is the news that Superintendent Charron and VHS Principal Ivers will be resigning to accept positions in the Waterloo School District. Many people have expressed their sadness to lose such talented individuals. The Valmeyer School Board is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, Jan. 19, where the resignations will likely be tendered and accepted. At that point, discussions will begin regarding finding replacements to fill the two soon-to-be open positions.

First National Bank of Waterloo has promoted four individuals. Diane Ramey to vice-president, network administrator. Diane has been with the bank since December 2002. Janet Schmitz to vice president, retail banking. Janet joined the bank in June 1995. Tracy Seiber, an employee since September 2006, to assistant vice president, center manager. Tracy started with the bank in September 2006. Tammy Brinkmann to assistant vice president, center manager. Tammy became part of the FNB team in November 2001. “We are pleased to announce these promotions and to recognize certain individuals for their outstanding performance and commitment to the bank.” said Gary Hemmer, FNB’s president and CEO. 

First National Bank of Waterloo employees recently being promoted are, left to right, Diane Ramey, Janet Schmitz, Tracy Seiber and Tammy Brinkmann.

Recent Obituaries

Naomi M. (Saffel) Aubuchon, 86, of Waterloo, died Jan. 9, 2010, at Des Peres Hospital. She was born Oct. 13, 1923, in Bonne Terre, Mo., the daughter of the late William and Susie (Richardson) Saffel. She married John Aubuchon. He preceded her in death.  Mrs. Aubuchon is survived by her sons Martin (Deborah) Aubuchon of St. Louis, Mo., and Robert (Janice) Aubuchon of Waterloo; grandchildren Emily (Robert) Gould, Katie Aubuchon, Laura (Nick) Van Eck and Allen Aubuchon; great-grandchild, Makayla Van Eck; a brother, Bill Saffel of Bonne Terre, Mo.; and a sister, Sue (Orville) Vogel of St. Louis, Mo. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Vernon Saffel. Visitation was at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral was Wednesday, Jan. 13, at 10:30 a.m., at the funeral home with Rev. Matt Clark officiating. Mrs. Aubuchon was buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Mo. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waterloo.

Mary M. Snow, nee Maxwell, 76, of Matthews, Mo., died Jan. 9, 2010, in Matthews. She was born Dec. 22, 1933, in Conway Ark., the daughter of the late Galoway and Bertha (nee Westerman) Maxwell. Mrs. Snow married William Snow in 1951, in Kewanee, Mo. He died in 2006. She is survived by her children, Steaven (Linda) Snow, Ronald (Sherrie) Snow, Sondra (Steve) Fields, Robert Snow, Angela (Jay) Boyd and Scott Snow; 18 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a brother, Herman Maxwell; along with other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Snow was preceded in death by two brothers. She was a member of New Testament Baptist Church in Waterloo. Visitation will be Thursday, January 14, from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home in Columbia. Funeral is Thursday, January 14, at 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home, with Pastor Larry Croy officiating. She will be buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. Memorials may be made to the New Testament Baptist Church in Waterloo.

Evelyn G. Elliott, nee Hill, 94, of Millstadt, died Jan. 12, 2010 in Waterloo. She was born May 24, 1915 in Chaffee Mo., the daughter of the late Louis and Alberta (nee Taylor) Hill. Mrs. Elliott is survived by her daughter; Susan (Nick) Matthews of Millstadt; a granddaughter and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Milbur K. Elliott; two sisters; and one brother. Visitation is Saturday, Jan. 16, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Shiloh United Methodist Church, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m., with Reverend Beverly Wilkes Null officiating. Mrs. Elliott will be buried at the Valhalla Garden of Mercy in Belleville. DeFabio Funeral Home handled the local arrangements.