Today's News - January 26, 2010

Monroe County Paramedic Returns From Haiti Relief Work

Julie Valerius, left, helps a doctor treat an injured victim following the Haitian earthquake.

Julie Valerius of Waterloo returned safely to Monroe County on Sunday after spending a week tending to the medical needs of those injured in the earthquake in Haiti. Valerius, a paramedic with the Monroe County Ambulance Service, was part of a Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Mercy Medical Team which traveled to the devastated region to offer their assistance. The team of various medical professionals was stationed at a clinic in Jimani, Dominican Republic, just east of the border with Haiti. The newly opened Good Shepherd Clinic where they were stationed was not affected by the earthquake. “But we did feel two aftershocks on the Friday I was there,” Valerius said.

She said every one of the patients they treated was very thankful to be alive and were praising God despite their tremendous losses. “We had to deal with a lot of amputations, broken bones and lacerations,” Valerius added. “My part was to assist the doctors and nurses in whatever capacity I could – from starting IVs, providing medications, putting on bandages and helping to insert a chest tube.”

In addition to the LCMS team, there were hundreds of other volunteers arriving to provide addition aid. “There were surgeons arriving from the United States, Spain and Puerto Rico,” she said. After the patients received first aid and were stabilized, the more critically injured were transported to the USNS Comfort, a Navy medical treatment facility docked just offshore.

“This experience really made an impact on me. It was truly amazing to see the amount and extent of the injuries and the number of people from all over the world coming together to provide whatever aid they could,” Valerius added.

Valerius was back on duty Tuesday at the Monroe County Ambulance Service , once again hard at work treating those in need of medical care in Monroe County.

Julie Valerius, third from right, gathers with other members of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Mercy Medical Team which spent the past week providing medical assistance to those affected by the earthquake in Haiti.

Radon Seminar Tonight At Annex: As part of National Radon Action Month, a presentation on the subject will be held Tuesday, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m., at the Monroe County Annex. Radon activist and Waterloo resident Gloria Linnertz of the Southern Illinois Radon Awareness Task Force, Cancer Survivors Against Radon and American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists will present “Radon Gas and Lung Cancer. “In Illinois 1,200 residents lose their life to radon-induced lung cancer each year,” said Linnertz, who lost her husband several years ago after his exposure to the odorless, radioactive gas present in many homes. Following her presentation, test kits will be available for $10.

State Rep. Dan Reitz has been a leading advocate in the Illinois legislature for radon testing. He sponsored the Illinois Radon Awareness Act, requiring sellers to provide anyone buying a home with information on radon hazards. This law, which went into effect in January 2008, has since led to an increase in radon testing in homes as well as an increase in radon mitigations. Also, in recognition of Radon Action Month, Reitz is sponsoring a resolution in the Illinois House to urge residents to regularly test their homes for radon and reduce their risk of developing lung cancer by taking preventative action. 

“Many people are not aware of how dangerous radon can be or that it might be present in their homes,” Reitz said. “The effects of radon have proven to be very harmful and it is critically important for residents to test for the presence of radon in their homes.”

The Environmental Protection Agency recognizes January as national Radon Action Month to increase public awareness of the dangerous effects of radon as well as encourage people to test their homes.  Radon is a deadly radioactive gas that causes nearly 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year according to the EPA. Overall, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It occurs in the soil and underlying rock layers beneath the soil. It is odorless, tasteless and invisible.

“There is no way to know whether or not radon is present in your home unless you test for it,” said Reitz. “I will continue my efforts to raise awareness of radon throughout Illinois and encourage homeowners to protect their families by taking the simple step of testing for radon.” 

State Rep. Dan Reitz, center, spoke to Waterloo Junior High School students today in recognition of National Radon Action Month. Reitz has partnered with eighth grade science students for a number of years in an effort to educate families about the lung cancer risk associated with residential radon. Reitz even wore a Reduce Radon t-shirt designed by WJHS students. Welcoming Reitz to WJHS are, left to right, Ryan Shull, Zachary McGee, Mina Feilner and Devin Rice.             – photo by Debbie Clinebell

High Schoolers Planning Benefit Concert: A group of high school students from Monroe and Randolph counties is organizing a benefit concert. Proceeds will be donated to “To Write Love On Her Arms,” a non-profit organization dedicated to helping those struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. Several local bands will be featured. In addition, there will be skits, videos, slideshows and speakers. The event will take place Saturday, Feb. 27, at Invigorate Music and Arts Center (the old Riverview Ford dealership) in Columbia. For additional information, contact Jennifer Clerc by email at: shadenfreuda@gmail.com.

Applications for the Monroe County Farm Bureau Foundation scholarships are now available by contacting the local office at 939-6197 or by email, mcfarm@htc.net. High school guidance counselors and agriculture instructors also have copies. Since its inception in 1995, there have been 38 scholarships awarded to area high school students planning to further their education in an agriculture related field. The monetary value has ranged from $100 the first years to $1,000 in recent years. Applications are due by Feb. 26.

Results Of Monday’s Girls’ Basketball Games: Columbia and Red Bud posted victories Monday night in girls’ high school basketball. CHS hosted Carlyle and won 51-43. Red Bud headed to Metro East Lutheran and came home with a 62-40 victory. Ending up on the losing end were Valmeyer, who fell to Marissa 70-26, and Waterloo was beaten at Mascoutah 72-42.

A motorists reported striking a goat today while driving in the 8200 block of Bluff Road near the Brown residence in rural Valmeyer. A Sheriff’s Department deputy arrived on the scene and said the owner of the goat removed the carcass from the roadway and the car was drivable.

Recent Obituaries

Glennon H. Sondag, 79, of Valmeyer, died Jan. 25, 2010, in St. Louis, Mo. He was born Jan. 19, 1931 in Valmeyer, the son of the late Armin C. and Zoe A. (nee Mentel) Sondag. Mr. Sondag is survived by his children, Doug (Rhonda) Sondag, Zoe Ann (Lyle) Schwarze, Patrick Sondag, Glenda (Steven) Sexauer and Barb (Kathryn Porterfield) Sondag; grandchildren Amber (Craig) Manville, Jennifer (fiancé Jeremy Eckenfels) Sondag, Ashley Sondag, Jonathan Schwarze, Allison Schwarze, Parker Sondag and Patrick Sondag Jr., Zeke Sexauer and August Sexauer; sisters Helen Sondag and Margie May; and brothers Ted (Pauline) Sondag and Joe (Evelyn) Sondag; along with nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 five years, Caryl Fay (nee Meyer) Sondag, who died earlier this year. Mr. Sondag was third generation lifetime farmer. He was a member of the Monroe County Farm Bureau and Valmeyer American Legion Post 901. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Valmeyer, where he served as a trustee for 20 years and the Knights of Columbus for 59 years. Visitation is Thursday, Jan. 28 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral Mass is Friday, Jan. 29, at 10 a.m., at St. Mary Catholic Church in Valmeyer, with Father Urban Osuji officiating. Mr. Sondag will be buried at the SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church Cemetery in Waterloo. Memorials may be made to masses or the St. Mary’s Building Fund.

Shirley Ann Satterfield, nee Tucker, 74, of Dupo, died Jan. 22, 2010 at her residence. She was born Nov. 25, 1935 to the late Andrew and Edith Mae (nee Parker) Jacob. Mrs. Satterfield is survived by her husband, Clyde F. Satterfield; children Tammy (Norman) Taylor, Terry (Kenny) Kollack, Tina (Wes) Eardley, Clyde (Jenni) Satterfield Jr., and Tracy (Tony) Bradshaw; grandchildren Rachel (Jason McMannis) Taylor, Megan (Jon Klevorn) Taylor, Brian (Tanya) Kollack, David Kollack, Alex Kollack, Aaron Kollack, Dan (Christina) Eardley, Derek Eardley, Rebecca Eardley, Bailey Bradshaw and Shea Bradshaw; and great-grandchildren Riley Taylor, Carter McMannis, Lilianna McMannis, Bryce Kollack and Brody Kollack; along with brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her sisters Virginia Tucker and Helen Shields. Mrs. Satterfield was the owner of Dupo Dairyland and attended the First Baptist Church in Dupo. She was a former members of the Prairie du Pont Ladies Auxiliary, Alley Oops Bowling League, Hilltoppers Swim Club and Red Hat Ladies Society in Texas. She enjoyed camping and traveling and spent 14 winters as a snow bird in southern Texas. Visitation will be Tuesday, Jan. 26 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Dupo. Funeral service will be Wednesday, Jan. 27, at 10:30 a.m. at the church with Reverend Roger Reid officiating. Mrs. Satterfield will be buried at Lake View Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund.  

Irene O. Buss, nee Greatting, 94, formerly of Columbia, died Jan. 25, 2010, at Oak Hill Care Center in Waterloo. She was born Nov. 2, 1915, Waterloo, the daughter of the late William and Minnie (nee Fischer) Greatting. She was married to Clarence Buss. He died in 1990. Mrs. Buss was also preceded in death by her sisters Lillian Landgraf, Mildred Juengling and Helen Fox; and a brother, Roland Greatting. Surviving are a daughter, Erlene (Orville) Bievenue of Red Bud; grandchildren Sharon (Carl) Wilson of Sparta, John (Cindy) Bievenue of Millstadt and Gary Lee (Vanessa) Bievenue of Red Bud; and eight great-grandchildren; along with other relatives and friends. Irene had played music for 57 years, beginning with at the age of 17, with the Buss Polka Band. She had worked at Society Brand Hat Company in St. Louis, Mo. Visitation will be Wednesday, Jan. 27, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home in Columbia. A private family graveside services will be held at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Columbia.

Niles Lowell Cooper, infant son of Kimberle and Jason Cooper, died shortly after birth on Jan. 22, 2010, at St. John's Mercy Medical Center in Creve Coeur, Mo. He will be greatly missed by his loving parents; brother, Michael Roesch; and sister Lexi Cooper; along with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and church friends. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, Jan. 29 at 11:30 a.m., at South Telegraph Christian Church in St. Louis, Mo. Funeral arrangements were handled by Lawlor Funeral Home.