News Follow-Up - December 9, 2009

Kenny Bode of Waterloo is recovering from injuries sustained Wednesday afternoon in an accident on Route 158 between Columbia and Millstadt. Bode was driving a minivan westbound, just west of Triple Lakes Road between Columbia and Millstadt. At that point, he apparently lost control of his vehicle and began to swerve into the path of a Baxmeyer Excavating semi-truck loaded with rock. The driver of the semi took evasive action and tried to avoid the collision by driving the truck into the front yard of a residence. Despite his efforts, Bode’s van collided head-on with the rear-end of the semi-trailer.

Witness Dennis “Dix” Lenhardt of Waterloo and other passersby rushed to Bode’s aid until the Columbia Ambulance Service arrived on the scene. Bode was transported by Arch helicopter to St. Louis University Hospital. Initial reports is that he received head injuries, but his exact condition is not known.

David Baxmeyer, owner of Baxmeyer Construction, said the driver of his semi-truck was not injured and he was very proud of him for swerving out of the path of the oncoming vehicle, preventing possible more serious injuries to Bode.

Former County Circuit Clerk Dies: Ellen Kipping, 78, died today, Wednesday, Dec. 9. She had been a residence of Garden Place in Columbia. Kipping was a prominent Democrat who became one of the first women to win a county-wide office when she was elected Monroe County circuit clerk in the early 1990s. She replaced the retiring fellow Democrat, Leroy Reitz. Sadly, she suffered a debilitating stroke during her first term. Aaron Reitz was then appointed to fill her term and he has continued to be re-elected to that office. Local Democrat party head Alan Pirtle said he has great respect for Kipping. “I knew Ellen when I was a young lawyer going to the courthouse shortly after I graduated from law school,” said Pirtle. “Ellen was always friendly and knowledgeable. She fulfilled her responsibilities in the circuit clerk’s office very well indeed.”

Waterloo High School Principal To Resign: Waterloo High School Principal Tim Kreinberg has advised the WCUSD board he will step down from his position following the end of the 2009-2010 school year. Kreinberg was appointed to the position in June of 2007. During his tenure, he oversaw the groundbreaking and completion of the new WHS facility on the south end of town. His wife, Mary Ann Kreinberg, is employed as a teacher at Waterloo Junior High School.

The Waterloo School Board is currently reviewing applications to replace Principal Kreinberg and are hoping to announce his successor by Dec. 21. The new principal would begin his or her employment effective July 1, 2010.

WHS Principal Tim Kreinberg

Recent Obituary

Ellen L. Kipping, nee Lerch, 78, of rural Foster Pond, died Dec. 9, 2009 in Columbia. She was born Oct. 27, 1931 in Harrisonville, the daughter of the late Adam and Frances (nee Niebruegge) Lerch. Mrs. Kipping is survived by her husband, Spencer Kipping; children David (Nancy) Kipping, Dennis Kipping, Lori (Matt) Doerr, Robert (Jenny) Kipping and Edward (Cathy) Kipping; a sister, Verona (Clarence) Sendelbeck; 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren; along with sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces and cousins. She was preceded in death by her sister, sister Beulah (Leo) Sendelbeck; brother, Henry Lerch; and a niece, Jane Lerch. Mrs. Kipping was a former Monroe County Circuit Clerk. She was a member of St. John UCC in Valmeyer and the Monroe County Democratic Club. Visitation is Thursday, Dec. 10, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Friday, Dec. 11, at 11 a.m., at St. John UCC of Valmeyer with Pastor David Riebeling officiating. Mrs. Kipping will be buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to her church or to the American Diabetes Association.

Dorothy E. Vogt, 80, of Valmeyer, died Dec. 3, 2009 in Columbia. She was born May 20, 1929 in Harrisonville, the daughter of late Ignatius and Arlou L. (nee Mueller) Ruby. Mrs. Vogt is survived by a daughter, Trudi (Allyn) Rohlfing; daughter-in-law, Judy (Perry) Vogt; step-son Steven (Lorrie) Koch Jr.; grandchildren Angie (Dale) Wiegard, Laura (David) Mortimore, Tom (Tammy) Vogt, Michael (friend Keli) Vogt, Jim (Kim) Vogt, Justin (Cody) Rohlfing, Garrett Rohlfing and Scott Rohlfing; step-granddaughter Linley Koch; great-grandchildren Claire Wiegard, Matt Wiegard, Katie Mortimore, Bryan Mortimore, Megan Vogt and Emily Vogt; and sisters Judy (William) Tipton and Joyce Reuber; along with sister-in-laws, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Lloyd “Shorty” Vogt and Steven A. Koch Sr.; son, Perry “Bud” Vogt; and great-grandson Brandon Vogt. Mrs. Vogt was an avid card player and loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Visitation and the funeral were at Quernheim Funeral Home. Mrs. Rohlfing was buried at Immaculate Conception Church in Madonnaville. Memorials can be made to Family Hospice or the St. John Cemetery of Maeystown’s Asphalt Fund.

Ray W. Smith, 64, of Marissa, formerly of Valmeyer, died Dec. 1, 2009 in Belleville. He was born Sept. 19, 1945, the son of the late Harley E. and Mary (nee Phalin) Smith. He is survived by his wife, Linda (nee Baker) Smith; and children Linda Lopez, Angela Skiles, David Smith, Randy (Angela) Smith Sr., Shelly Smith; along with 12 grandchildren; great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and pet cat “Bud.” He was preceded in death by a grandson, brothers and a sister. He belonged to the Illinois Sheriff’s Association. Visitation and the funeral were at Quernheim. Mr. Smith was buried at the Beaucoup Cemetery in Nashville.

Christopher Michael Howk, 32, of Red Bud, died on Dec. 6, 2009 at Memorial Hospital in Chester. He was born Jan. 17, 1977 in St. Louis, the son of Arthur and Sandra (nee Greenwalt) Howk. He married Angela Germain on July 1, 2000. In addition to his wife, Mr. Howk is survived by his father and step-mother, Arthur and Nancy Howk; mother and step-father, Sandra and Ronald Gesiriech; children Aubrey Murden, Francois Howk, Christopher Michael Howk II and Kristian Miller; brothers Daniel Irvin II, Patrick Beeler and Ronald Gesiriech Jr.; sisters Dana Kukorola, Stephanie Gesiriech and Christi Schuler; grandfather, Arthur Hawk; and grandmother, Leilani M. Greenwalt; along with nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth Ann Warren; brother, Michael Robert Beeler; grandfather, Steve Greenwalt; and grandmothers Marietta and Eileen Howk. Mr. Howk was a carpenter for Local 169 in East St. Louis and was a member of the Lake View Southern Baptist Church in Swansea. Visitation is Thursday, Dec. 10, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home in Red Bud. A funeral will follow at 11 a.m., at the funeral home. Mr. Howk will be buried at St. John Catholic Cemetery in Red Bud.

Ronald Dennis “Ronzo” Barlow, 51, of Dupo, died Dec. 6, 2009 in Dupo. He was born March 31, 1958 in St. Louis, the son of Mildred Barlow and the late Cletus Barlow. In addition to his mother, Mr. Barlow is survived by his mother, Mildred Barlow; children Justin (Jodie) Barlow, Nichole Barlow, Tasha Barlow, Minda Judy; special friend Barbara Judy; sisters Paula Barlow, Debbie (Dan) Malin and Rene’ Barlow; brothers Kenneth (Betty) Barlow, Bill (Pam) Barlow and Harvey Barlow; and grandchildren Taiza Jo Barlow, Aaden Judy, Jack Barlow, Jonathan Barlow and Benjamin Barlow; along with nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Cletus Barlow; sister, Brenda Reynolds; and a nephew, Ryan Reynolds. He was a self-employed auto upholsterer. Visitation was at Dashner-Leesman in Dupo. Funeral is Thursday, Dec. 10, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Charles Carr officiating. Mr. Barlow was be buried at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery in Waterloo. Memorials may be made to Backstoppers.

Robert L. Cox, 67, of Red Bud, died on Dec. 6, 2009 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville. He was born Feb. 6, 1942 in East St. Louis, the son of the late Raymond and Mildred (nee Carl) Cox. He married Jackie Bishop in 1966. In addition to his wife, Mr. Cox is survived by his children, John Cox and Laura (Kenneth) Bolhofner; a brother, Carl (Janis) Cox; and grandchildren Nickolas Mezyk and Emily Bolhofner; along with nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant granddaughter, Sara Grace Bolhofner. Mr. Cox was an electrician for Shell Oil Refinery in Wood River for 30 years. He was a past member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Centerville, a member of the I.B.E. W. Local 309 and Senior Circle in Red Bud. He loved to travel, read, spending time with his family, fishing and nature. Visitation is Friday, Dec. 11 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home in Red Bud. Funeral is Saturday, Dec. 12 at 11 a.m., with Father Donald Blaes officiating. Mr. Cox will be buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Fairview Heights.                   

Edith Trost, nee Saucier, 95, of Waterloo, died Dec. 8, 2009 in Waterloo. She was born July 5, 1914 in Denver, Colo. Funeral arrangements are pending at Quernheim Funeral Home.