Today's News - May 19, 2010

Tom Adams Steps Down As Columbia’s City Attorney

By Joe Leicht

He's seen Columbia burgeon to become one of the fastest growing cities in the Midwest. He's seen five mayors come, and four mayors go. He's seen city councils that were the picture of harmony, city councils that fought like cats and dogs, and brushes - for better or worse - with gambling casinos and mega-developments that never came to pass. Now, Tom Adams is ready to set aside Columbia's legal affairs after 34 years as city attorney.

Adams announced at the May 17 City Council meeting he would not seek re-appointment. Prior to the meeting, he'd made his intentions known to Mayor Kevin Hutchinson by letter.

"It's been an honor and a privilege to serve the city of Columbia for 34 years. I will always value and cherish the contacts and relationships I've had with city officials, citizens and all the administrations I've worked for and with," Adams told the council. ”I thank you for everything you've done for me and my family. Now, I'm looking forward to devoting more time to other interests in other areas of law in my private law practice," Adams said.

The council and those in attendance gave Adams a standing round of applause. Mayor Hutchinson asked Adams how many city ordinances he'd drafted in his years of service to Columbia; Adams said "Over 2,000."

Alderman Jim Agne joked that the council could force Adams to remain for another few years because state statute requires city counselors to serve until a replacement is appointed and has qualified. Adams will continue to work on legal issues the city has become involved in during his tenure, including the Illinois Environmental Protection Agencies suit over the city landfill and others. Hutchinson did not give a time table for replacing Adams, but said the matter would be on the May 24 Personnel Committee agenda.

Tuesday sports results: In baseball, Gibault defeated Chester 2-1 to advance to play Columbia in the Red Bud Regional this afternoon at 4:30 p.m. Waterloo hosts Jerseyville at 4:15 p.m. On the softball field, Waterloo took two games from Jerseyville last night, 4-0 and 12-6. Today’s softball action in the Columbia Regional has Columbia hosting Freeburg at 3:30 p.m. and Gibault playing Red Bud at 5 p.m. Waterloo plays at home against Granite City. In girls’ soccer, Columbia defeated Wood River 7-0 to win the Metro-East Lutheran Regional.

After receiving an accurate throw from outfielder Brendan Fournie, Gibault catcher Corey Sanders applies the tag to a Chester runner trying to score from second on a base hit during first round regional playoff action. The runner was out during the bang-bang play at the plate which helped snuff out a late-inning rally. Gibault held on for a 2-1 victory to advance in the Red Bud Regional. The Hawks played Columbia on Wednesday.               - photo by Bob Haentzler - www.gatewayphoto.net.

The Midwest Fury U-10 girls’ soccer team brought home another championship from the BFC Spring Classic Tournament.

The Midwest Fury soccer team is, left to right, first row, Haley Heavner; second row, Hallie Kaiping, Makensy Umsheid, Emma Novack, Faye Harrell; and third row, Coach Gary Bockhorn, Abby Phelps, Sydney Luedeman, Dani Maurer, Sydney Bockhorn, Kassidy Grant and Coach Ed Luedeman. Sydney Thurwalker is not pictured.

Hometown Harmony Debuts To Full House

St. Paul UCC in Waterloo was filled to near capacity last Sunday has the local singing group Hometown Harmony made its debut.  The concert, which also featured, guest chorus the Valmeyer Community Choir, was titled, “Old Time Religion.” Hometown Harmony was organized by Sheri Jones and Jody Worley (Matzenbacher sisters from home), who both have a passion for music and singing. They brought together a talented group of singers, along with musicians Jill Boxdorfer on piano and guitarist Darren Reifschneider. Retired Waterloo choral teacher Barb Boedges was chosen as the chorus’ director. A majority of the singers fondly remember their days singing at WHS with Ms. Boedges as their instructor.

“Hometown Harmony is a great group of singers who have a lot of fun,” said Jones. “We have enjoyed making our dream become a reality.”  The group’s next concert is scheduled to be during the Christmas holiday.

Singing a song during the Hometown Harmony Concert are, left to right, Andrea Jones, Alycia Jones, Jody Worley, Sheri Jones and Lori Smothers.       – photo by Rhonda May

Valmeyer Community Choir sings the song, “Old Time Religion.”        – photo by Rhonda May

Realtor Association of Southwestern Illinois President Deb Campbell of Columbia was among area Realtors who met with Congressman Jerry Costello and Congressman John Shimkus in Washington, D.C. during the National Association of Realtors Mid-year Legislative Meetings and Trade Expo from May 10-15. The organization brought local real estate issues to the attention of the legislators during the meeting. Campbell is with Concept Realty in Columbia. “These meetings are imperative not only to address the challenges facing the real estate market today, but also to make lawmakers aware of what consumers are struggling  with when it comes to homeownership,” said Campbell.

Recent Obituaries

Bertha Marie Riebeling, nee Schlemmer, 93, of Dupo, died May 18, 2010 at her son’s home in Waterloo. She was born Oct. 30, 1916 in Sugarloaf Township, the daughter of the late Frederick and Wilhelmina (nee Wernicke) Schlemmer. Mrs. Riebeling is survived by her son, Orval (Mary Lou) Riebeling; daughters Evelyn (Larry) Lindhorst and Beverly Bivins; ex-son-in-law Norman Bivins; grandchildren Randy (Tonda) Lindhorst, Debra (Kenny) Nash, Travis (Christina) Bivins and Darius (Michelle) Bivins; and great-grandchildren Tiffany, Anthony, Andrew and Cody Bivins and Logan Herring; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Mrs. Riebeling was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin Riebeling, who died in 1980; friend, Valentine Tattitch; brothers William, Armin, Frederick, Sylvester and Adolph Schlemmer; and sisters Anna Hoffmann, Alma Hasty-Roseman and Edna Kuni-Wagner. Mrs. Riebeling was a member of Christ United Church of Christ in Dupo, a former member of the Dupo Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and the American Legion Post 485 Ladies Auxiliary. For many years, she and her husband owned Riebeling Service Station, Riebeling Variety Store and Dupo Dairyland. Visitation is Friday, May 21, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Dashner-Leesman Funeral Home in Dupo. Funeral is Saturday, May 22, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with Reverend Kim Kelly officiating. Mrs. Riebeling will be buried at Valhalla Gardens of Memory in Belleville. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Christopher Scott Pickus, 40, of Millstadt, died May 13, 2010 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville. He was born March 24, 1970, in Belleville, the son of Maryann Pickus of Swansea, and his late father, Ronald J. Pickus. In addition to his mother, Mr. Pickus is survived by his wife, Ginny Pickus; brothers James (Debbie) Pickus of Millstadt and Paul Pickus of Swansea; mother-in-law, Darlene Slovinski of Millstadt; and nephews Josh, Alex, Brandon and Conner; along with aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and his loving pets. Mr. Pickus worked at Brinks Armored Car in St. Louis, was a deputy marshal for the Millstadt Police Department for 10 years, attended St. James Catholic Church and was a member of the Party Tyme Kruzer Car Club. Visitation at Strauss-Leesman Funeral Home in Millstadt. Funeral was at St. James Catholic Church with Father Marvin Volk officiating. Mr. Pickus was buried at Mt. Evergreen Cemetery.

Joseph R. Klein Jr., 71, of Waterloo, died May 17, 2010 in Waterloo after a battle with Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He was born Aug. 8, 1938 in St. Louis, the son of the late Roland J. and Bertha (nee Martindale) Klein. Mr. Klein is survived by his wife, Barbara (nee Havel) Klein; children Roserita  (James) Cadwell, CDR Joseph  (Carla) Klein II (USN), Roland  (Joette) Klein, CDR Erich (Bethany) Klein (USCG), Natasha  (Major Erik) Bartelt (USMC); grandchildren David, Nathaniel, Emma, Anna, Savka and Olivia Klein and Jacob and Noah Cadwell; a brother, Lawrence (Brenda) Klein; sisters-in-law, Kathleen (Pat) Brady and Mary (Joseph) Schutzenhofer; along with aunts, uncle, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by a sister, Elaine Hoggard; and a brother, Gerald Klein. Mr. Klein was a veteran of the United States Navy. He was a member of St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church in St. Louis, the Knights of Columbus, Waterloo Metzger-Crook VFW Post 6504, Coast Guard Auxiliary and the YMCA. Visitation is Thursday, May 20, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Friday, May 21, at 9:30 a.m. at St. John Nepomuk with Father Paul Spielman officiating. Mr. Klein will be buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. Memorials may be made to BJC Hospice or the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Esther Katherine Schoenborn (nee Kolmer), 87, of Waterloo, died May 16, 2010 in Waterloo. She was born July 13, 1922 in Waterloo, the daughter of the late Frank and Cecilia (nee Vogt) Kolmer. Mrs. Schoenborn is survived by her children, Mary (John) Mosir of Waterloo, Joann (Tim) Harlin of Waterloo, Virginia (fiancé Gene Cox) Busch of Imperial, Robert (Sara) Schoenborn of Waterloo, Gene Schoenborn of Belleville, Glenn (Mariola Mollet) Schoenborn of Fairview Heights, Pat (Mike Barcus) Seibel of Columbia, Sue (Ed Davis) Strobel of Waterloo and Tom (Judy Glynn) Schoenborn of Columbia; grandchildren Chris Mosir (fiancé Rachel Burchard), Stephanie Mosir (fiancé Drew Cordia), Jennifer (Daniel) Wilhelm, Jackie Harlin, Jeana Harlin, Kim Anderson, Michael (Shelley) Busch, Krissy (Bryan) Buettner, Joel Schoenborn, Aaron and Angela Hemme, Jeff (Karrie) Strobel, Jay Strobel, Trenton Schoenborn and Haley Schoenborn; great-grandchildren Mason and Miller Wilhelm, Corey and Sydney Busch, Jesse and Allison Buettner, Alyssa Robinson, Claire and Kate Strobel; sister, LaVerne Proctor; and sister-in-law, Irene Schoenborn. Mrs. Schoenborn was preceded in death by her husband, John P. Schoenborn; and a brother, Robert Kolmer. Mrs. Schoenborn was a homemaker and sales rep for Mary Kay Cosmetics. She was a lifetime member of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Waterloo, the Mary and Martha Society and Waterloo VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 6504. Visitation is Wednesday, May 19, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral Mass is Thursday, May 20, 10 a.m. at SS Peter and Paul Church. Memorials to masses, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Oak Hill.

Danny J. Dell, 63, of Waterloo, died May 16, 2010 in Belleville. He was born Dec. 1, 1946 in Moark, Ark, the son of the late John H. and Irene (nee Peters) Dell. Mr. Dell is survived by his wife, Nancy (nee Selander) Dell; sons Wayne (Mary) Dell and Brian (Rebecca) Dell; grandchildren John, Bethany and Sophia Dell; and sisters Frances (Charles) Smith, Patricia Range; along with nieces, nephews, cousins and an aunt. He was preceded in death by brothers-in-law, aunts and uncles. Mr. Dell was a member of Zion UCC, Laborer Local 196, Kaskaskia Bowhunters and the Prairie du Rocher Saddle Club. Visitation is Wednesday, May 19, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Thursday, May 20 at 10 a.m. at Zion United Church of Christ in St. Joe with Pastor Nancy Spier-Lee officiating. Mr. Dell will be buried at the Burksville Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, American Cancer Society or his church.

Elsie Mosbacher, 78, of Valmeyer, formerly of Aurora, Colo., died May 15, 2010 in Valmeyer. She was born Aug. 28, 1931 in Valmeyer, the daughter of the late Ernst and Emma (nee Linker) Mosbacher. Ms. Mosbacher is survived by a sister, Edna Brown of Valmeyer; a sister-in-law. Margie Mosbacher of Waterloo; and nephews Mike Brown and Terry Mosbacher; along with great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother, Earl Mosbacher; sister, Erma Senti; nephew, Bruce Mosbacher; and a niece, Linda Senti. Ms. Mosbacher was a civil service worker in Denver for 55 years. Memorial service is Saturday, May 22, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Valmeyer. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois.