News Update - June 29, 2010

A fire destroyed a shed and damaged a residence Tuesday afternoon at the Clem Wittenauer Farm in rural Merrimac. Neighboring farmer Jake Stumpf noticed smoke coming out of the barn located at 8743 Levee Road and dialed 911. Stumpf then alerted the residents of the rental house next to the barn, Michael and Ranee Peek, who were able to safely exit. Stumpf then hooked up a gardening hose and sprayed water on the home where the siding was beginning to melt from the heat. Valmeyer and Columbia firefighters were soon on the scene and extinguished the blaze. The barn and most of its contents, old farm equipment, were destroyed. The home received minor damage.

Valmeyer and Columbia firefighters work together to put out a barn fire on Levee Road.     - photo by Bob Haentzler

Recent Obituaries

Douglas J. Feldker, 47, of Chester, formerly of Waterloo, died June 28, 2010 in Chester. He was born Aug. 27, 1962, in St. Louis. Mr. Feldker is survived by his parents, Joseph and Nadine (nee Branson) Feldker; a daughter, Taylor Marie Feldker; brother, Daniel Feldker; sister, Heather (David) Bush; niece, Alexandra Feldker; and special friend, Barb Christeson; along with aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents; aunts and uncles. Mr. Feldker was a member of Eagles Lounge in Chester and was a bricklayer. Visitation is Wednesday, June 30, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo. Funeral is Thursday, July 1, at the funeral home with Pastor Patrick Poole officiating. Memorials may be made to St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

Betty Anne (Hubbs) Houseknecht, 78, of Belleville and formerly of Columbia, died June 26, 2010, at Memorial Hospital, Belleville. She was born May 9, 1932, in East St. Louis, daughter of the late Harry and Della Mae (Green) Hubbs. She was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ, where she had participated in the Women's League and was a past Sunday School teacher. She was a retired secretary, having worked at Golden Dipt, Millstadt, IL, and Columbia City Hall. Survivors include a son, Jim Houseknecht of Waterloo; daughter, Ellen (Jeff) Grueninger of Columbia; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Jeffrey) Bentrup of Ballwin, Mo., and Andrew Grueninger of Edwardsville; a great-grandchild, Abigail Bentrup, along with other relatives and friends. Visitation was Tuesday, June 29 at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral was Wednesday, June 30, at Lawlor Funeral Home, with Pastor Bob Goddard, officiating. Burial was at Evangelical St. Paul Cemetery, Columbia. Memorials may be made to her church.

Ollen W. Ramey, 84, of Valmeyer, died June 26, 2010 in Belleville. He was born November 25, 1925 in Carlinville, the son of the late John William and Sara Janette (Stokes) Ramey. Mr. Ramey is survived by his wife, Annabelle (nee Krack) Ramey; sons, James (Janell) Ramey, Harold (Chris) Ramey, Keith (Diane) Ramey; daughters, Elizabeth (Mark) Ambrose, Sharon (Ervin) Sanders, Linda Ramey, JoAnn Bean, and Debbie Russell; brother, Dale (Betty) Ramey; sister Martha Jean Wolf; eight grandsons; nine granddaughters; nine great-grandsons; 10 great-granddaughters. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Marianna (nee Huff) Ramey; sons, Robert Ramey and Stephen Gold; granddaughter, Megan Ramey. Mr. Ramey graduated from Litchfield High School, served in the Army from 1944-1946, graduated from the University of Illinois in 1950, was plant superintendent at Prairie Farms Dairy, moved to Mountain Home, Ark. in 1992 then moved to Valmeyer in 2006 and was a member of Emmanuel Church. Visitation was Monday, June 28 at Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo. Funeral was Tuesday, June 29 at the funeral home with Pastor Jeff Martin officiating. Mr. Ramey was buried at Mayfield Memorial Park in Carlinville. 

James W. Novak, 69, of Waterloo, died June 25, 2010 in St. Louis. He was born May 23, 1941, the son of the late Frank J. and Orlena (Schmitz) Novak. Mr. Novak is survived by his wife, Frances Novak, nee Schmitz; daughter, Stephanie (Jerry) Koester; grandchildren, Jonathan and Samantha Koester; sisters and brothers, Lucille (William) Wetzler, Jerry (Susan) Novak, Helen (Henry) Koch and Pat (Lonny) Schmidt; aunts, Darlene Wetzler and Irene Fausz; alone with nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother-in-law, Glenn Juelfs; nephew, Billy Wetzler; and in-laws. Mr. Novak was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Church and was interested in softball, basketball, baseball, NASCAR, and football. Visitation was Tuesday, June 29 at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral was Wednesday, June 30 at SS Peter & Paul Church with Father Osang Idagbo officiating. Mr. Novak was buried at SS Peter & Paul Cemetery. Memorials to the American Heart Association, Diabetes Association or Masses at SS Peter & Paul Church.