E-Newsletter - February 17, 2012

SPPS Youngsters Celebrate 100 Days

Kindergarten students at SS. Peter and Paul School in Waterloo celebrated their first 100 days of school with activities this past week, including making a party, making cereal bead necklaces and funny hats.

SPPS students in Mrs. Phelps’ and Mrs. Lowe’s kindergarten classes celebrate their first 100 days of school.

One Injured In Wednesday’s Head-On Collision

An O'Fallon woman sustained an arm injury Wednesday afternoon in a head-on accident at the intersection of South Market and Route 156, on the south end of Waterloo in front of Wayne's One Stop. Kristina Haplin, 22, was transported by the Monroe County Ambulance Service to St. Anthony's Medical Center. According to the police report, Taisha Furlow, 21, of Waterloo, was driving a Ford Explorer southbound on South Market. As she approached the intersection, Furlow apparently did not notice the vehicle in front of her stopped while it attempted to make a left turn onto Rt. 156. 

To avoid hitting the stopped vehicle, at the last second Furlow turned left into the northbound lane of South Market. She collided head-on with a car driven by Haplin. Waterloo firefighters were called to the scene to use Jaws of Life equipment to extricate Haplin from a pinned position in her car. Furlow was not injured, but was ticketed for improper lane usage and not having a valid driver's license. 

Waterloo firefighters use Jaws of Life equipment to extricate an accident victim out her car following Wednesday’s head-on collision.    – photo by Gage Wienhoff

Waterloo firefighters arrive on the scene of the head-on collision Wednesday after on the south end of Waterloo.    – photo by Gage Wienhoff

Columbia resident Bart Jones has published his first book - “Leaving Home in Time.” The book is a science fiction / fantasy novel designed for the teenage audience. It is available for purchase through Amazon.Com and Barnes and Noble stores. The book’s official website is: www.leavinghomeintime.com. Jones is a former swimming coach for the Waterloo Piranhas.

Variety Show Auditions Next Tuesday

Auditions for the Waterloo High School Band Parents’ Variety Show have been rescheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 21, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the WHS auditorium.

The Waterloo VFW Hall will be closed today, Friday, Feb. 17 while kitchen remodeling continues, according to Post Commander Butch Sparwasser. The Hall will reopen this coming Wednesday, Feb. 22 for an Ash Wednesday Fish Friday.

Guebert Raising Funds For Charity

Kalin Guebert of Columbia has joined Team In Training in preparation for completing a charitable fundraising hike in the Grand Canyon this May. In doing so, she has pledged to raise $3,800 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She is running in honor of her co-worker Leah Menshouse. Kalin is seeking pledges and is planning a March 18 Crazy Bowl event. For more information, contact Kalin at 618-980-0859.

Red Cross Live Is Next Wednesday

A free program called Red Cross Live! has been scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 29 at the Sand Bank School in Columbia. The hour-long video program is open to the public and will run 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The video offers a behind-the-scenes look inside the disaster relief and lifesaving work of the American Red Cross. The event is being coordinated by local Red Cross volunteer and leadership council member Gary Schroeder of Waterloo. Reservations are required and may be made by contacting Schroeder atkts@htc.net or calling 939-5255.

Gibault sophomore Kendra Davis advanced in the sectional finals of the IHSA Class 1A Three-point Shooting Contest held in Hardin. She was eliminated in the final round on Thursday evening.

Kendra Davis

SPPS Takes First In Chester Volleyball Tourney

The SS. Peter and Paul A-team volleyball team won first place at the recent St. Mary Catholic School Tournament held last weekend in Chester. In the championship game, the Falcons defeated St. John Catholic School of Red Bud. In other SPPS sporting news, the sixth grade volleyball team finished in third place in the St. John Catholic School of Red Bud Tournament.

The SPPS eighth grade volleyball team celebrating their first place finish in the St. Mary Tournament are, left to right, first row, Rebecca Muich, Emilia Kueker, Hannah Knese, Maddie Phelps and Caralyn Papenberg; and second row, Maddie O’Neill, Laura Kimlinger, Carley Olson, Ashley Grohmann, Morgan Wiegand, Jessica Wittenauer, Bri Kettler and Coach Carrie Phelps.

CHS Donates Jeans For Teens

Columbia High School students donated 455 pairs of denim jeans as part of the Jeans For Teens program to benefit the needy. Mr. O’Donnell’s class won a pizza party for brining in the most pairs.

CHS students who organized a Jeans For Teens drive along with the first place class of students display the 455 pairs of jeans donated to the program.

Recent Obituaries

Marion F. Wiggers, nee Lord, 80, of Waterloo, died Feb. 7, 2012 in Waterloo. She was born Sept. 6, 1931, in Evansville, Ind., the daughter of the late Christian J. and Artie M. (nee Wall) Lord. Mrs. Wiggers is survived by her husband, Willard Wiggers; children, Victoria Jewell, Michael (Marilyn) Simpson, Dixie Robinson (Jerri Jones) and Henry Wiggers; daughter-in-law, Becky Stamm Wiggers; grandchildren, Marcie Walker, Valerie(Jimmy) Haley, Andrea (Keith) Glatzer, Meredith (Thomas) Rueger, Brett Wiggers, Ryan  Wiggers and Ashley  Wiggers; great-grandchildren, Chase and Carson Glatzer, Grant, Mariah and Shellie Haley and Destiny McClement; sister-in-law, Marilyn Dismore; and nieces, Jenny (Mike) Holliday, Beverly Hoffman and Sister Michelle Mohr; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her son, Charles Wiggers; grandson, William  McClement; sisters, Marie Mohr and Christine Hurst; and brothers, Jimmy, Raymond, Richard and Robert Lord. Mrs. Wiggers was a member of St. Paul UCC Waterloo, past matron of the Waterloo Eastern Star and was a retired real estate broker. Visitation is Saturday, Feb. 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at St. Paul UCC in Waterloo with Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein officiating. Memorials may be made to her church or Hospice of Southern Illinois.

John T. Macklin, 28, of Red Bud, died Feb. 14, 2012 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident on Rt. 159, just north of Red Bud. He was born Feb. 3, 1984, in Centreville, the son of Melissa  (nee Kaltenbach) Macklin of Red Bud and the late Toney Macklin. In addition to his mother, Mr. Macklin is survived by his siblings, Tony Macklin, Sarah Macklin, Hannah Kaltenbach, all of Red Bud, and Charlene Watson of Collinsville; step-grandfather, Robert Causey of Cahokia; paternal grandfather, Roy and Betty Macklin of French Village, Mo.; and his dogs CJ and Candi; along with nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Besides his father, he was preceded in death by his grandmother, Jo Causey; grandfather, John Kaltenbach; great-grandmother, Sarah Louise Macklin; and grandmother, Opal Gibson. Mr. Macklin was employed as a forklift operator at Gilster Mary-Lee Corp. He was of the Lutheran faith and enjoyed fishing and hunting. John enjoyed motorcycle riding and being a MMA Fighter with Team Pain. Visitation and funeral were at Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home in Red Bud with Rev. Koen officiating.

Curtis “Levi” Owen, 24, of Chester, died Feb. 14, 2012 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident on Rt. 159, just north of Red Bud. He was born June 15, 1987 in Evansville, Ind., the son of Pamela Rose. In addition to his mother, Mr. Owen is survived by a daughter, Laily Turley of Dupo; girlfriend Holley Turley of Dupo; brothers Rodney and Michael Owen; grandmother, Brenda Rose; uncle, Carey Rose; aunt, Rhonda Rose; and nephews, Hayden Bryson and Gayven Owen; along with aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Curtis Rose; great-grandmother, Ruby Rose; great-grandfather, Jessie Rose; and an uncle, Curtis Rose. Levi was a timber worker who was of the Baptist faith. Visitation and funeral were at at Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home in Red Bud.