Today's News - March 9, 2010

Record Turnout For Backstoppers Trivia Night

There was a record turnout Saturday, March 6 at the Heckerdome for the annual Backstoppers Trivia Night. There were more than 600 participants on 83 teams in the event which raised just more than $20,850 for the organization which aids the families of emergency personnel who die in the line of duty.

“Thanks to the generosity of our community, and all the individuals and businesses for their donations, along with the workers for volunteering their time. God bless each and every one of you for your support of Backstoppers,” said Joe Krump, firefighter and president of the Waterloo Fire Department.

Finishing in first place were New Athens residents Beth Vayette, Jeff Vayette, Jill Alfeldt, Jim Alfeldt, Dionne Harris, Scott Harris and Bryan Rausch. They attributed their success to two factors - first, their eighth teammate, Justin 'Weasel' Majzel, was a no-show and second, they noted their team consists entirely of New Athens residents while the brainpower of the second place team was diluted with Freeburg teammates, including Freeburg Fire Chief Lee Smith.

Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies, Bob Young, left, and Steve Meister, second from right, try to persuade Maeystown Firefighter Randy Meyer and Valmeyer Fire Chief Floyd Floarke, right, to buy chances on a handgun during the Backstoppers Trivia Night at the Heckerdome.                  – photo by Carol Floarke

Route 3 Accident Ties Up Rush Hour Traffic

Two vehicles collided Friday afternoon, March 5, just before 5 p.m. on Route 3 on the north end of Waterloo across from George Weber Chevrolet and Schneider’s Quality Meats. Amy McCormick, 27, of St. Ann, Mo. was driving a two-door Dodge. She was transported by ambulance to an area hospital. Danny Marks, 54, of Waterloo was driving the other vehicle involved, a Ford F-350. The cause of the accident has not yet been released.
- photo by Bob Haentzler

The driver of a Chevy truck which rolled Saturday morning, March 6, has been charged with two tickets, including a driving under the influence. According to the police report, just before 7 a.m., James Brandon Key of Eldorado, Ark. was driving his Chevy Silverado southbound on Route 159. He apparently fell asleep at the wheel just after he past Probst Road, on the north end of Hecker. The vehicle drifted to the right, sideswiped a guardrail, crossed through the northbound lane and rolled as it went through a ditch. The truck came to rest upside down. Key, 37, was able to exit the vehicle uninjured under his own power. The passenger, Chancy Moench, 27, of Sparta was transferred by New Athens Ambulance Service to Red Bud Regional Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Key was ticketed with DUI and improper lane usage. 

Hecker firefighter Rich Happel picks up a water hose lying next to an overturned truck on Route 159.

Only At A Catholic School – A bird's nest with a unique item hanging from it was spotted this week at the front entrance to Gibault Catholic High School. It appears the bird picked up a small, wooden crucifix and interwoven into it into its nest.

Waterloo High School senior Nick Bretwisch advanced to the sectionals of the IHSA three-point shooting contest.

WHS’s Nick Bretwisch sinks one of several shots in the regionals of the IHSA three-point shooting contest.    – photo by Paul Baillargeon

Valmeyer Pirates basketball player Aaron Crossin has advanced in the Class 1A three-point shooting contest.

CERT Training Classes This March: The Monroe County Emergency Management Agency is offering classes to teach local citizens how to make a survival kit, basic first aid and fire safety and to know what to do in the event of a tornado, earthquake, winter storm, summer heat or act of terrorism. Community Emergency Response Team training will be offered this March at the Monroe County YMCA. There is no cost for the training and materials. Also, beverages and snacks will be provided. The CERT classes will be held Friday, March 12, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, March 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, March 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, March 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact Glenn White by phone at 618-939-8784 or send him and email at brbwhite@yahoo.com.

Blood Drive: Southwestern Illinois College’s Red Bud Campus will conduct a blood drive on Monday, March 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Earl Muskopf of Columbia died March 8 at St. Louis University due to complications following an automobile accident a few weeks ago at the intersection of Route 3 and North Market Street in Waterloo. His wife, Vi, who was in the passenger seat, remains hospitalized at St. Louis University Hospital. In addition to the injuries from the collision, Earl suffered a heart attack and had to deal with a bout of pneumonia while hospitalized. The Muskopfs were visited by many family and friends recently, including members of the Rahe, Woodcock and Harres families. Dennis Gruchala, owner of Gruchala’s Restaurant in downtown Columbia where the Muskopfs were frequent diners, stopped by and brought Earl some scratch-off lottery to cheer him up. The Muskopfs lived in the rural Columbia / Valmeyer area for many years, but eventually moved to the city of Columbia. Earl’s visitation and funeral are Saturday, March 13, at St. Paul UCC of Columbia. Vi will not be able to make the funeral while she recuperates in the hospital.

Last Cat: Reward!!! Sammy was last seen March 7 at 202 Adams in Waterloo. Call 939-7200.

The Waterloo Optimist Club once again raised thousands of dollars for local high schools during their annual bowling tournament last weekend at Westpark Bowl in Columbia. A highlight of the event was Mark Wetzler bowling a perfect 300-game.

Arlin Stechmesser gets ready to throw his ball down the lanes during the Waterloo Optimist Bowling Tournament.

Recent Obituaries

Wayne Arthur Ritter, 87, of Columbia, died March 7, 2010, at the Missouri Veteran's Home in Warrensburg, Mo. He was born June 16, 1922, in Columbia, the son of the late Louis and Cora (Kremmel) Ritter. He married Juanita (Moore) Ritter in 1948 in Columbia. In addition to his wife, Mr. Ritter is survived by his daughters, Diana Ritter of Kansas City, Mo., Gale (Stephen) Toolen of Columbia and Susan (Chris) Wetzel of Columbia; grandchildren PFC Stephen Toolen, Heather (Scott) Heck, Mady Wetzel and Zach Wetzel; great-grandson, Xander Heck; a brother, Dale (Laverne) Ritter of Benton, Ky.; sisters Marilyn (Herbert) Stemler of Millstadt, Ruby Asselmeier of Sparta and Bernell Mueller of Columbia. He was preceded in death by a sister, Bernice Lepp; along with brothers Harold and Clemens Ritter. Mr. Ritter served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a lifelong telephone man and retired from civil service where he had worked as a communications specialist. Mr. Ritter was a lifetime members of Millstadt VFW Post 7980 Millstadt and Columbia American Legion Post 581 Columbia. He was a member of the Monroe County Farm Bureau and St. Paul Lutheran Church, Columbia, where he was a past-trustee. Visitation is Thursday, March 11, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral is Friday, March 12, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbia with Pastor Steven Theiss and Rev. Edward Melchior officiating. Mr. Ritter will be buried at the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Columbia. Memorials may be made to his church or the Missouri Veteran's Home.

Earl A. Muskopf, 87, of Columbia, died March 8, 2010 at St. Louis University Hospital. He was born April 5, 1922, in North Dupo. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Viola (Hoffmann) Muskopf. They were married July 31, 1948 in Columbia. In addition to his wife, Mr. Muskopf is survived by his siblings Russell (Minnie) Muskopf of Poplar Bluff, Mo., Bernice (Lester) Allgire of Maryville, Donald Muskopf of Dupo and Sharon (David) Wienhoff of Tucson, Ariz.; and a god son; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by a sister, LouAnn (Herman) Schandl; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clarence and Lena (Osick) Hoffmann; and a sister-in-law, Annabelle (Jerry) Collie. Earl was a retired farmer and a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Columbia, the Columbia Gymnastic Association and the Columbia Kiwanis Club. He was a former member of the Monroe County Levee Board and the Waterloo Sportsman Club. Visitation is Saturday, March 13, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at St. Paul UCC of Columbia. A funeral will immediately follow with Pastor Kris Avise-Rouse officiating. Mr. Muskopf will be buried at the Evangelical St. Paul Cemetery in Columbia. Arrangements were handled by Lawlor Funeral Home. The family extends a special thank you to the St. Louis University medical staff, 9 ICU and 7 South nursing staff, chaplains Carl Germain and Rob Hartman at St. Louis University Hospital; along with Pastor Kris Avise-Rouse for his comfort and support. Memorials may be made to his church.

Colin S. Straub, 59, of Columbia, died March 7, 2010. He was born Nov. 25, 1950 in Salinas Calif., the son of the late Arthur and Kathleen (nee Dannehold) Straub. Mr. Straub is survived by his sister, Lynette “Lynn” Toenjes; and brothers Michael (Sherry) Straub and David Straub; along with aunts, uncles, nieces and cousins. Mr. Straub served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He was retired from the United States Post Service. Visitation is Thursday, March 11, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Friday, March 12, at 9:45 a.m. at the funeral home with Father Carl Scherrer officiating. Mr. Straub will be buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. Memorials may be made to the Immaculate Conception Church of Columbia’s New Church Building Fund.

Betty J. Kolmer (nee Wilkerson), 77, of Waterloo, died March 7, 2010. She was born Oct. 23, 1932, in New Athens, the daughter of the late George and Minnie Alice (nee Fordyce) Wilkerson. Mrs. Kolmer is survived by a son, Ken (Sandra) Kolmer; grandchildren Casey, Conner, Cole and Carter; and sisters Alice Jung and Helen Smith. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth F. Kolmer; along with sisters and brothers. Mrs. Kolmer was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Waterloo. Memorial Mass is Saturday, March 13 at 10 a.m. at her church with Father Osang Idagbo officiating. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.