Sports Wrap-Up

In baseball, Waterloo defeated a tough Highland team, 4-0, behind strong pitching of starter Matt Berry. The right-hander needed only 81 pitches to improve his record to 3-1. The conference win improved WHS’s record to 10-4. Gibault defeated Cahokia 15-5, while Valmeyer lost to Freeburg 5-4.

On the softball diamonds, it took extra innings for the Gibault Lady hawks to defeat Wesclin 2-1. Lexie Purcell slammed a two-out double to the gap in the bottom of the eighth inning to drive in Kelsey Barbeau for the game-winning run. Gibault pitcher Emily Morris went the distance for the victory. The Lady Hawks improved their record to 16-3. Highland topped the Waterloo softball team 7-0, while Freeburg upended Valmeyer in a close game, 6-5.

On the soccer field, in the Columbia Lady Eagles Soccer Tournament the host team lost to Triad 3-0. In the Alton Invitational, Waterloo beat Orchard Farms 4-0.

Upcoming sports action on tap for Tuesday: In baseball, Columbia heads to Wesclin, Waterloo travels across town to take on rival Gibault, Valmeyer plays at Dupo and Red Bud plays at Freeburg. In softball: Columbia plays at Wesclin, Valmeyer is at Dupo and Red Bud travels too Freeburg. In girls’ soccer, Columbia is at home against Edwardsville.

Waterloo catcher Lucas Wetzler, left, puts the tag on Highland's Cory Gall. Waterloo left fielder Nick Steppig had gunned a perfect throw to home plate just in time to get the put out.           - photo by Bob Haentzler / game photos at www.gatewayphoto.net

 

Gibault Softball Team Defeats Wesclin In Extra Innings

Gibault outfielder Lexie Purcell slams a game-winning double in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Kelsey Barbeau crosses home plate for the game winning run in Gibault’s 2-1 victory Monday afternoon.

Proud fathers Ron Barbeau, left, and Chris Purcell discuss Gibault’s victory Monday night, which their daughters played key roles.

 

The Valmeyer School Board has chosen to hire Eric Frankford as its new superintendent. He currently serves as the assistant superintendent for the Bond County School District. Frankford will begin his job July 1 of this year, replacing Brian Charron who accepted a position as the new principal of Waterloo High School. During Monday night’s Valmeyer School Board meeting, they approved a $550,000 bond referendum to purchase a new air conditioner at the school. It will show up on next year’s tax bills. The amount equates to an increase of roughly 13 cents per $100 in valuation.

 

For the 25th year in a row, the Waterloo High School concert band earned a Division 1 Superior rating at the April 17 at the IHSA State Music Contest at O’Fallon Township High School. WHS Band Director Mike Mullins chose the musical selection’s Cajun Folk Songs by Frank Tichelli and Havendance by David Holsinger for this year’s competition.

“The concert band gave an excellent performance. The students worked hard preparing for the contest and it was obvious by the results and comments they received from the judges,” said Mullins.

The Waterloo concert and jazz bands will present their annual Spring Awards Concert on Tuesday, May 11 beginning at 8 p.m. The concert band will perform the competition selections along with Florentiner March and Selections From Fantasia 2000. The jazz band will perform a diverse program of swing, blues, rock and Latin selections. Soloist will include seniors Jessica Reifschneider, Kristen Reifschneider and Logan Ward. In addition to the performances, the senior band members will be recognized and the John Philip Sousa Band Award and Louie Armstrong Jazz Award will be presented. 

“The Spring Concert is a culmination of an entire year of work and it is also the final performance of our senior band members,” Mullins said.

 

Recent Obituaries

 

Ralph C. W. Straub, 70, of Waterloo, formerly of Columbia, died April 19, 2010 in St. Louis from complications following a stroke a few weeks ago. He was born June 18, 1939 in Belleville, the son of the late Julius and Wilma (nee Riebeling) Straub. Mr. Straub is survived by his wife, Sharon (nee Kuntzman) Straub; children Michelle (Tom) Pfershy and Robert Straub; grandchildren Kirsten Pfershy and Caleb Straub; step-mother Thelma Straub; brothers Delbert (Sandy) Straub and Paul (Rachel) Straub; a brother-in-law, Paul (Ruth) Kuntzman; friends Ray and Jackie Aycock; along with nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Lisa Renee Straub; and a step-brother, Roland Huch. Mr. Straub was a former Waterloo police officer and retired after 32 years of service with the City of Waterloo. He was a member of St. Paul UCC of Waterloo, the Fraternal Order of Police, a life member of the Optimist Club and a former Jaycee’s member. Ralph enjoyed his retirement by spending time with his grandchildren and at the Lake of the Ozarks with his wife and two best friends, Jackie and Ray Aycock. Visitation is Wednesday, April 21, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Thursday, April 22, at 10 a.m. at St. Paul UCC in Waterloo with Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein officiating. Mr. Straub will be buried at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery in Waterloo. Memorials may be made to his church’s Emergency Fund, the Optimist Club or the American Diabetes Association.

Michael I. Halleran, 85, of Columbia, died April 19, 2010 at Columbia Convalescent Center. He was born March 6, 1925, in Bush, the son of the late Vernon and Lyburtie (Claunch) Halleran. He married Pearl (Mueller) Halleran in 1969 in Columbia. In addition to his wife, Mr. Straub is survived by his granddaughters, Genea Kay (Michael) Kearns and Stephanie (David) Miller; great-granddaughters Emily and Allison Miller; sister-in-law, Leona Halleran; nephews Randy (Kandie) Halleran and Terry (Rhonda) Halleran; son-in-law, Gene Tilley; a brother-in-law, Ralph (Helen) Mueller; sister-in-law, Twila Hankammer, great-nephew, Jim; and great-nieces Julie, Jenny and Dottie. He was preceded in death by daughters Cynthia Ann Tilley and Mary Lynn Lewis; brothers Vernie and Richard Halleran; and a sister, Margie Halleran. Mr. Halleran served with the US Navy during World War II. He retired from McDonnell – Douglas of St. Louis in 1978 after more than 30 years of service. Michael was a member of St. Paul UCC of Columbia and Columbia American Legion Post 581. Visitation is Wednesday, April 21, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral is Thursday, April 22, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Bob Goddard officiating. Mr. Halleran will be buried at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery in Waterloo. Memorials may be made to the St. Paul UCC Building Fund.

Ervin “Ervie” Koester, 75, of Red Bud, died April 17, 2010 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. He was born June 7, 1934 in Evansville, the son of the late Arnold and Malinda (nee Goedelmann) Koester. Ervie married Alpha G. Heifner on May 12, 1962 at St. John Lutheran Church in Red Bud. In addition to his wife, Mr. Koester is survived by his sons Jeff “Bubba” (Sharon) Koester and Rodney “Rocky” Koester, both of Red Bud; granddaughters Chelsea and Candace Koester of Red Bud; brothers Kenneth (Geraldine) Koester of Red Bud and Marvin (Ruth Ann) Koester of Ruma; a sister-in-law, Barbara Koester of Red Bud; and a brother-in-law, Ernest (Leona) Heifner of Stilesville; along with nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, brother, Roger Koester; and a sister in infancy. Ervie was a farmer who also worked as a fork lift driver for Snyder General in Red Bud. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Red Bud and the Randolph County Farm Bureau. Visitation is Thursday, April 22, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home in Red Bud. A memorial service will be Friday, April 23, at 11 a.m. at St. John Luther Church in Red Bud with Rev. Russell Koen officiating. According to his wishes, Mr. Koester’s body was donated to science. Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran School in Red Bud.