Weekend Wrap-Up - February 7, 2010

Valmeyer Scouts Named Conservationist Of The Year

Valmeyer Boy Scout Troop 345 was recognized Friday evening for their work at the Salt Lick Nature Trail in Valmeyer. The were named the Conservationist Of The Year during the 63^rd annual meeting of the Monroe County Soil and Waterloo Conservationist District at Turner Hall. Also honored during the evening was H & M Farms, which was named the Farm Family Of The Year Award for their conservation efforts on their farm land.

Central Picks Up Another Win – Defeats Columbia On Friday

Central showed why they are 22-2, and 9-0 in conference play with a convincing 59-31 victory Friday over host Columbia. The Eagles bounced back with a 54-38 victory Saturday over Hamilton County during the Nashville Sports Boosters Shootout. The Eagles are 3-4 in the Mississippi Conference and 19-8 overall.

Columbia's Billy Haag, right, dribbles towards the basket while being guarded closely by Central's Brandon Book. Central won Friday’s contest 59-31.      - photo by Gateway Photography / game photos online at www.gatewayphoto.net

Major Andrew Aycock of Columbia left for Haiti on Jan. 30. He will be stationed on the island for four to five weeks as part of his deployment with Transcom. Major Aycock is coordinating flights out of Haiti headed for the mainland. Waiting patiently for his safe return are his wife, Jenny, their children, Seth, 14, and Regan, who is in kindergarten.

Major Andrew Aycock arrives in Haiti as part of an earthquake relief mission.

The Waterloo High School freshman boys’ basketball team won first place last week in the Jerseyville Tournament. In the championship game, they defeated host team Jerseyville by more than 20 points.

The WHS freshman basketball team celebrating their first place finish in the Jerseyville Tournament are, left to right, first row, Brad Niemann, Riley Minnaert, Alex Wittenauer and Clayton Augustine; and second row, Jared Lengacher, Justin Kretchmer, Nathan Quirin, Ethan Ruff and Coach Mike Stryker.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for the St. Louis area from 6 a.m. on Monday to 6 a.m. on Tuesday. Snowfall is expected to between three to five inches. The temperature will remain below the freezing mark the rest of the week.

Several annual meeting are right around the corner. The County Pork Producers Board Meeting is scheduled to get together Feb. 16 at Annbriar and the always-popular Monroe County Farm Bureau annual gathering is March 6 at St. Mary’s Parish Hall in Valmeyer.

Scott Rice is credited with helping to save his neighbor’s dog which had fallen through ice Thursday on Brand lake Drive in rural Waterloo. Lonnie Blanchard’s dog had fallen through a thin layer of ice and Rice used a john boat to reach the dog and pull it in. The Hecker Volunteer Fire Department then arrived on the scene and threw a rope out to the boat and helped Rice pull himself back to shore. Rice is employed as a pressroom supervisor at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Recent Obituaries

Walter E. Parker, 78, of Swansea, formerly of New Athens, Feb. 7, 2010. Funeral arrangements are pending at Quernheim Funeral Home.

Irene M. Dannehold, nee Heiken, 81, of Waterloo, died Feb. 6, 2010 in Waterloo. She was born Oct. 8, 1928 in Waterloo, the daughter of the late Emil and Catherine (nee Stockel) Heiken. Mrs. Dannehold is survived by her husband, Harold Dannehold; and children Terry Dannehold of Middletown, N.J., and Sandra Dannehold of St. Louis, Mo.; along with sisters-in-law, a brother-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by a brother, Armin (Marcella) Heiken. Mrs. Dannehold was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Visitation is Monday, Feb. 8, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 10 a.m., at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Waterloo with Father Osang Idagbo officiating. Mrs. Dannehold will be buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to masses at her church.

Richard Branson, 73, of Fults, died Feb. 5, 2010 in St. Louis, Mo. He was born June 3, 1936 in Clayton, Mo., the son of the late Joseph and Catherine (nee Smith) Branson. Mr. Branson is survived by his wife, Vivian (nee Glenn) Branson; children Shelley (Phillip) Boland, Stacy (Rodney) Mueller and Rebecca (Bob) Frierdich; grandchildren Ronald (Rebecca) and Seth Mueller, Shasta Weihl, Zachary Koonce, Tanner and Parker Frierdich and Hannah Boland; great-granddaughter, Emma Mueller; siblings Clyde Branson, Donald (Phyllis) Branson, Sharon Mehrtens, Brenda (John) Bueschel and Gale Branson; and brother-in-law, Doyle Glenn; along with nieces, nephew, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Jeanette Branson; a brother-in-law, Alvin Mehrtens Jr.; and brothers-in-law. Mr. Branson was a rancher, retired truck driver, auctioneer and real estate broker. Visitation is Sunday, Feb. 7, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home, and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Monday, Feb. 8. A funeral service will follow at the funeral home with Pastor Steve Neill officiating. Mr. Branson will be buried at the Monroe City Cemetery.

George W. Guttmann, 95, of Waterloo, died Feb. 4, 2010 in Columbia. He was born May 24, 1914 in Fults, the daughter of the late Nicholas and Christina (nee Kunkel) Guttmann. Mr. Guttmann is survived by nieces and nephews Fern (Fred) Kinzinger, Marie (Eddie) Melliere, Robert (Joyce) Guttmann, Thelma (Ray) Shields and Charlene Waligorski; along with cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lura A. (nee Reiner) Guttmann; a nephew, Clinton (LaVerne) Schmieg; brothers Oscar, Walter and John Guttmann; and sisters Lena Schmieg and Marie Guttmann. Mr. Guttmann was a tech sergeant in the U.S. Army. Visitation is Sunday, Feb. 7, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and on Monday, Feb. 8, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. A service will immediately follow at the funeral home with Father Roger Karban. Mr. Guttmann will be buried at Valhalla Cemetery in Belleville. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Heartland Hospice.

News Update - February 7, 2010

Columbia Cheerleaders Welcomed Home
After Winning The State Championship

The CHS cheerleaders performed some highflying stunts during today’s state winning routine. The won first place in the IHSA State Championships in the small school division.       – photo by Debbie Roediger

The Eagles show their number one during today’s championship performance.   – photo by Debbie Roediger

The Eagles gather in Bloomington with their IHSA first place trophy.    – photo by Debbie Roediger

The CHS Eagles are welcomed back to Columbia with a parade along Main Street led by the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department.   -Photo by Debbie Roediger

The Illinois state-best CHS Eagles cheerleaders gather after returning back to Columbia. A rally is planned for Monday at the CHS gym at 2:30 p.m. - Photo by Debbie Roediger