E-Newsletter - March 19, 2010

Waterloo Fifth Graders Graduate From DARE Program

More than 300 Waterloo fifth graders successfully completed the DARE program taught by WPD Officer David Midkiff. The program teaches children about the harmful effects of abusing drugs, alcohol and smoking cigarettes. It is sponsored locally by the Waterloo Oddfellows and Dairy Queen.

Waterloo DARE officer David Midkiff, right, presents awards to the top DARE essayists at Rogers Elementary in Waterloo. More than 275 students at the school graduated from the program and earned certificates.

There were 46 SPPS students receiving certificates of completion of the DARE program by Waterloo Police Officer David Midkiff.

Select Volleyball Team Takes St. Louis Tournament

The Waterloo U-11 Volleyball Club won first place in the St. Louis Mayor's Cup Tournament.  

The Waterloo U-11 select volleyball team celebrating their victory at the St. Louis Mayor’s Cub are, left to right, first row, Kaylee Hammon, Cory Denning, Connor Sandheinrich; and second row, Josie Metzger, Bailey Huebner, Erica Schaab, Samantha Kruse and Lindsey Merritt. They are coached by Lisa Hammon.

Gibault Girls’ Soccer Loses To Belleville East: In early season girls soccer action on Thursday, Belleville East traveled to Waterloo and handily defeated the Gibault Hawks by a score of 8-1.

Gibault’s Tara Kennedy, left, and Belleville East’s Marissa Delgato go after the ball during Thursday game at the GHS soccer field.      - photo by Bob Haentzler / www.gatewayphoto.net

Mike Greenfield has been named the new athletic director for the Waterloo School District beginning this summer. He will replace longtime Waterloo AD and Coach Rick Keefe who is retiring. Greenfield has been the assistant wrestling coach at the University of Nebraska for the past seven years. Prior to that, he was the university’s strength and conditioning coach. Greenfield grew up in O’Fallon and graduated from the University of Central Michigan with a degree in physical education.

“We are excited to have Mike on board,” said WCUSD Superintendent James Helton. “During the interview process, his knowledge of the metro-east area was important, as well as his pursuit of excellence in programming.”

Mike Greenfield

The Columbia Police Department arrested Bradley Lane, 20, of Oak Street in Columbia earlier this week and charged him with a Class One Felony of residential burglary. He is being held at the Monroe County Jail with bond set at $100,000. According to the report, Lane is charged with stealing an Xbox, a laptop and 32-inch flat screen television from Harry McCraw’s home at 108 East Vogt Street on March 5, 2010. Lane’s preliminary court appearance at the Monroe County Courthouse is scheduled for April 8, at 1 p.m.

Joe Adkins, 31, of Waterloo was found guilty in court this week to possession of a stolen vehicle. He was sentenced to four years and six months in prison. The incident occurred on May 31, 2009 when Adkins stole a truck owned by Diana Garner parked on Main Street. Garner was inside Ahne’s bakery at the time of the theft and noticed a man get into her truck and drive away. Adkins proceeded to drive the truck to the large department store on the north end of Waterloo. When police officers pulled into the parking lot, Adkins attempted to flee on foot, but was soon apprehended by county deputies who were assisting the Waterloo Police Department in the search.

Justin Cruse, 26, of Mascoutah was found guilty of a Class 2 count of Felony Burglary this week at the Monroe County Courthouse. He was sentenced to three years in prison, less the 91 days he has been held since his arrest. Cruse was involved in the break-in which occurred Dec. 2, 2009 at Ace Hardware in downtown Columbia. Cruse broke through the front glass door and stole the cash register. The Columbia Police Department is continuing their investigation into the case because it is believed there was at least one other person involved in the break-in and their get-away involving a stolen vehicle.

Donald Hosfeld, 19, of Waterloo pleaded guilty March 16 of a Class 3 Felony count of theft. He was sentenced to 30 months probation, $165 in court cost and $200 for a DNA test as a first-time felon. Hosfeld was found guilty of the theft of five bicycles from a home on Fairway Drive on the east end of Waterloo on Feb. 20. The investigation, led by Waterloo Police Detective Jeff Prosise and the WPD, obtained a search warrant of Hosfeld’s apartment in Waterloo. Officers discovered the frame of one of the bicycles and further investigation lead to the recovery of two of the missing bikes. “We are still missing two more,” said Prosise. A restitution hearing will take place May 6 for the $4,547 in damages for the theft of the bikes.

Matthew Angarita, 27, of Waterloo is set to stand trial April 12 for the Nov. 11, 2007 incident at Bobeck’s where he is accused of using a knife to stab Ryan Novack in the back.

Coleman Lawyers To Appear In Court Next Week: The attorneys involved in the Chris Coleman criminal trial are scheduled to appear in court March 26 at the Monroe County Courthouse. The pre-trial conference is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. Coleman is charged with triple-homicide involving the May 2009 death of his wife and two sons at their home in Columbia.

The Monroe County unemployment rate has rose to 10.1 percent as of January 2010, reports the Illinois Department of Employment. The figure was 8.1 percent as of January 2009. Currently, the Metro-East area has an average unemployment rate of 12.6 percent.

Kadin Baxmeyer Remembered By Classmates Today: The Smithton Elementary School hah a balloon release today in honor of former student, Kadin Baxmeyer, 7, who drowned one month ago, along with his mother, Kathy Baxmeyer, and friend Steven “Austin” Baum, 6, in a lake at the Baxmeyer home in rural Paderborn, just east of Waterloo.

News From The Waterloo Library: Author Edmond DeRousse of Sparta will be signing his fist book, “The Adventures Of A Common Man,” at the Morrison-Talbott Library in Waterloo on Saturday, April 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. He used his own life experiences to write a fictional account of an ordinary person that encounters interesting events. More information about the author and the book is available at the website: www.acommonman.tatepublishing.net.

After 19 years of service, Judy AuBuchon has retired from Morrison-Talbott Library. Family, friends and co-workers gathered Feb. 26 to wish her well in her retirement. Judy had previously worked 11 year at the St. Louis Public Library. She is planning to enjoy more time with her husband, Ed, and visiting her children and family.

The Waterloo Sister Cities of Porta-Loo announced the winners of its annual high school Young Artist Showcase. The winning entries are, first place, Alexi Purcell of Gibault; second place, Megan Wagner of Gibault; third place, Kelly Knefelkamp of Gibault; and honorable mentions too Megan Crawford of WHS and Lana Rottler of Gibault. Purcell's first place work will compete later this year in the 2010 Sister Cities International Young Artist Showcase in Washington, D.C.

Oak Hill’s annual Soup and Pie Supper is set for Wednesday, March 24, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The senior living center is located Hill at 623 Hamacher Street in Waterloo. The menu includes all-you-can-eat soup choices of ham and bean, potato and vegetable beef. Also included are cornbread and pie. Tickets are $6 per adult or $3.50 for children 12 and under. Carry-outs are available. Proceeds benefit Oak Hill Resident Council.

The Columbia Middle School scholar bowl team won the Cahokia Conference Tournament for the third consecutive year. The team won all eight matches March 6 to go undefeated at the event. CMS student Ian Boyer-Edwards won an individual trophy for the most correct toss-up questions answered.

The CMS scholar bowl team is (not in order) Ian Boyer-Edwards, Nick Kirkpatrick, Ryan Brennan, Jessi Brutton, Jennifer Fohrell, Joe Harrell, Emily Harrison, Tyler Huffmann, Matt Hutchinson, Connor McDonald, Blake Stumpf, Libbye Tellor, Zach Toenjes, Brendan Wilhelm, Tyler Wood and Coach Teresa Fehrenz.

There will be a benefit poker run this Saturday for Randy “Mush Head” Rippelmeyer to help pay his medical expenses while he undergoes treatments for liver cancer. The run will be Saturday, March 20 and starts at Rudy’s in Prairie du Rocher  at 11 a.m. and concludes at  6 p.m. in Burksville. Stops will include Freeda’s in Renault, The V in Red Bud and Main Street in Waterloo. There will be drawings, raffles, silent auction, food, music and drinks.  Mush Head’s family and friends have planned the event and it will take place rain or shine.

Columbia To Test Tornado Siren: The City of Columbia Emergency Dispatch Center will test their tornado siren equipment on Tuesday, March 23 at 9 a.m.

The Alzheimer’s Association’s In the Moment support group will meet on Thursday, March 25, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Oak Hill in Waterloo. The topic for the evening will be “Moving Your Loved One To A Care Facility: Overcoming Guilt and Grief.” Family members, friend or caregiver of someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia is encouraged to attend this meeting.  Literature on Alzheimer’s disease will be available.  Refreshments will be served.  For more information, please contact Julia at 618-939-3488 ext 1248.

Recent Obituaries

Rodney Christian Bolle, 59, of Dupo, died March 16, 2010 at his residence. He was born Sept. 11, 1950 in East St. Louis, the son of the late Earl and Mary Elizabeth (nee Goley) Bolle. Mr. Bolle is survived by his daughter, Christina (Jeff) Amos of Columbia; a son, Rodney Shane Bolle of Columbia; grandchildren Jordyn and Jacob Amos, Ashlyn Hoock and Shane Bolle; a sister, Cindy (Richard) Parnell of Dupo; brother, Randy (Melissa) Bolle of Dupo; and niece, Alison (Bob) Lockett of Dupo; He was preceded in death by a brother, Sidney E. Bolle. Mr. Bolle worked as a conductor for MOPAC/Union Pacific Railroad and was a member of the Dupo Volunteer Fire Department. Visitation and funeral were at Dashner-Leesman Funeral Home in Dupo. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church in Columbia. Mr. Bolle was buried at the Evangelical St. Paul Cemetery in Columbia.

Doris L. Koesterer, 73, of Ruma, died March 16, 2010 in Red Bud. She was born Oct. 19, 1936 in Chester, the daughter of the late Lee A. and Lorraine A. (nee Sievers) Demick. She married Frank Koesterer in 1962 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Ruma. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Koesterer is survived by her children, Melissa (Gerald) Crafton of Evansville, Michelle (Jeff) Mehring of Red Bud, Michael (Kim) Koesterer of Smithton and Matthew (Tammy) Koesterer of Red Bud; a brother, Lee (Cathy) Demick Jr. of Red Bud; an aunt, Mary Sievers of Fort Thomas, Ken.; grandchildren Kelly Vines, Adam and Sarah Mehring, Nathan, Nicholas, Sophia and Lydia Koesterer and Kevin Crafton; and great-grandson, Camden Vines. She was preceded in death by aunts and uncles. Mrs. Koesterer was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Visitation is Friday, March 19 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home in Red Bud. Funeral is Saturday, March 20, at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Ruma with Father Clyde Grogan officiating. Mrs. Koesterer will be buried at her church’s cemetery.

Frank Clarence Phelps, 83, of East Carondelet died March 17, 2010 at his residence. He was born Dec. 20, 1926 in Dupo, the son of the late Frank G. and Elvera Phelps. Mr. Phelps is survived by his children, Nancy (Robert) Prather of Stestson, Me., Deborah Taff of St. George, Utah, Denise (Dale) Orr of Columbia, Neil (Terri) Phelps of House Springs, Mo., and Jeff (Robin) Phelps of Columbia; grandchildren Josh and Barb Prather, Derrick and Mandy Lindsey, Matthew Middleton, Sam and Nikki Orr, Matt and Jamie Regensburger, Brian Phelps, Cody Phelps and Chad Phelps; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Marc Middleton. Mr. Phelps served in the U.S. Merchant Marines and the Army. He was employed as an operator for Monsanto for more than 30 years, and was a member of Christ UCC of Dupo and the Dupo VFW. Visitation is Saturday, March 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Christ UCC of Dupo. A funeral service will immediately follow with Rev. Kim Kelly. Mr. Phelps will be buried at Palmier Hill Cemetery in Columbia. Memorials may be made to his church.

Melba Jean “Jeanie” Happel (nee Eckart), 56, of Hecker, died March 17, 2010 in Belleville. She was born June 21, 1953, in Red Bud, the daughter of Esther (nee Kreher) Eckart and the late Edmund Eckart. In addition to her mother, Mrs. Happel is survived by her children, Donald (Stacy) Happel, Vicki (Jeff) Biffar, Nancy (Chad) Cowell and Richard (Sarah) Happel; a stepson, Bryan Happel; grandchildren Rachael, Seth, Brooke, Brady, Mason and Chase; and siblings Ralph (Kathy) Eckart, Mary (Larry) Schaltenbrand, Edmund “Eddie” (Melanie) Eckart, Marvin (Sandy) Eckart, Geri Griffin, Lori (Andy) Amann, Arnold (Angie) Eckart and Theresa (Jim) Stearns; along with aunts, uncles, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides her father, she was preceded in death by her husband William Happel; a brother-in-law, Dale Griffin; sisters-in-law Georgia Eckart and Carol Grennan; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Sidney and Dorothy Happel. Mrs. Happel was the Postmaster at the Baldwin Post Office, a board member at the Hecker Public Library and a board trustee for the village of Hecker. She was a member of the Blessed Virgin Altar Sodality at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Hecker and Napus. Visitation is Sunday, March 21, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Monday, March 22, at 10 a.m. at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Hecker with Father Carl Scherrer officiating. Mrs. Happel will be buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to her church, the Hecker Fire Department or the Leukemia Foundation.

Patsy Hall, 81, of Columbia, died March 18, 2010, at Columbia Convalescent Center. She was born June 19, 1928, in Lilbourn, Mo., the daughter of the late Joseph and Katie (nee Clendenin) Christopher. She married James A. Hall in 1945 in New Madrid, Mo. He died in 1995. Mrs. Hall is survived by sons, Dennis (Cheryl) W. Hall of Valmeyer, Jimmie (Linda) E. Hall of Valmeyer; none grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Emma Duck of Sherwood, Ark. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Hall was preceded in death by a daughter, Mona Hadley; brothers Jody Christopher and Louis Christopher; and sisters Gladys Adams and Edith Cook. Mrs. Hall was a retired intensive care nurse at Red Bud Regional Hospital. She attended Bethany United Methodist Church in Columbia. Visitation is Sunday, March 21, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral is Monday, March 22, at 11 a.m., at the funeral home with Pastor Allynn Walker officiating. Mrs. Hall will be buried at Valhalla Gardens of Memory in Belleville. Memorials may be made to her church.