It Happened Here – May 25, 2016
It Happened Here
Eighty Years Ago
(1936)
Erwin Bartelsmeyer, a senior at Nashville High School won the district League and Auxiliary oration contest in Edwardsville.
Local grocery prices included a large package of Lux for 23 cents and a 10-pound can of Karo Red Syrup for 49 cents.
Deaths: Mrs. Fred Brammeier of Nashville; Henry Wiese, 71, of Nashville; Herman Collmeyer, 61, of New Minden; Anna Evers, 66, a native of Covington; Rev. Edward Schweitzer, 95, former pastor at the Hoyleton Evangelical Church; and Anna Ahring, 75, of Okawville.
Seventy-Five Years Ago
(1941)
As many as 67 Farm Bureau members in Washington County paid their taxes under protest claiming that they were discriminated against by unfair assessments.
Nashville Board of Education and New Minden District No. 43 renewed an agreement which sent New Minden grade school students to Nashville.
Deaths: Charles Steinkemeyer, 89, of Nashville; Mary Erbar, 56, of Nashville; Mrs. Paul Zimmer, 81, of Steeleville; August Leffner, 65, of Bolo Township; and Larry Casey, 22.
Seventy Years Ago
(1946)
Charles Huegely was elected president of the Washington County Bankers Federation.
Are soldier discharged included: Carl A Soeteber of Oakdale; Pharmacist mate Leroy Michael of Hoyleton; Aerographer’s Mate Hadley Hasemeier of Nashville; Seaman Albert Povolish of Ashley; T/4 Warren Donnerman of Nashville; First Sgt. William Auld of Coulterville; Cpl. Floyd Mufflin of Richview; Seaman William French of Tilden; SSgt. Clyde Wilcox of Ashley; Torpedoman’s Mate Francis Wilson Jr. of East St. Louis; Nelson Pries of Hoyleton; Sgt. Elmer Snyder; SSgt. Homer Edmonds of Gallup, NM; Cpl. Charles Scott of Nashville; Sgt. Henry Borrenpohl of Okawville; Pvt. Howard Hammond of Oakdale; Pvt. Edwin Richards of Nashville; T/5 Sylvester Kozuszek of Nashville; Storekeeper John Henderson of Nashville; and Pharmacist Mate Gordon Eade.
Deaths: John Hawkins, former Washington County Clerk; Martha Runk, 84, former Nashville resident; Dr. Oscar Grote, 67, a native of Washington County; Goldie Hedrick, 13, of Oakdale; and Ronald Helbig, seven-week-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Helbig of Marissa.
Sixty-Five Years Ago
(1951)
Louie Sinn’s roadside market west of Nashville, was burglarized. Items taken included summer sausage, cheese and bread.
Vernon Sprehe finished sixth in the 100 yard dash in the high school state track meet at Champaign.
Farm market prices showed yellow soybeans at $3.16 a bushel and leghorn hens selling for 22 cents a pound.
Grocery specials for Memorial Day included dill pickles for 33 cents a quart and Armour Treet for 49 cents in a 12-ounce tin.
Death: Louis Hongsermeier, 38, of Irvington.
Sixty Years Ago
(1956)
Lt. Jack Machin was the only survivor of a plane crash at Lowry Air Force Base near Denver in which three other crewmen died.
Gilbert Haun of Ashley was appointed a Democratic member of the Washington County board of Review.
The Shoe Mart in Nashville offered a 50 cent per pair trade-in on used shoes.
Fire destroyed a barn on the John Kroeger farm west of Du Bois.
Deaths: Melvin Brown, 64, of Nashville; Alvin Windler, 58, a native of Washington County; Jul Hermeling, 76, a native of Nashville; George Haier, 49, of Red Bud; and Ira Dintelman, 61, a native of Elkton.
Fifty-Five Years Ago
(1961)
Voters in Ashley passed a $44,000 bond issue for the extension of the Ashley waterworks system by a vote of 253 to 144.
The second grade class of Nashville Grade School went on its annual train ride between Ashley and Centralia.
Deaths: Sydney Goodner, president of Farmers and Merchants National Bank in Nashville; Richard Poston, 6, of Woodlawn; Anthony Glazik, 69, of Tamaroa; Edward Beck, 68, of Pinckneyville; Fred Steinkamp, 89, of Centralia; and Wilbur Krietemeier, 62, of Richview.
Fifty Years Ago
(1966)
Albert Oexeman, a nine-year veteran of the Nashville City Council, resigned his position after being granted a dram shop license.
Freda Davis bowled a 604 series at Don’s Bowl.
Dean Haege converted the former Nashville Floor Covering Store in 10 additional rooms for the Nashville Motel.
Fire, believed to have been started by lightening, destroyed a barn on the Herman Lake estate farm in Lively Grove Township.
Butch Hohman won first place in the district track meet at Carbondale with a time in the mile of 4:31.2.
Washington County Board of Supervisors established a Regional Planning Commission and Board of Economic Development.
Local grocery prices had three quarts of strawberries for 99 cents and five ears of Florida sweet corn for 39 cents.
Deaths: Grace Gorman, 92, of Nashville; Emma Peithmann, 77, of Irvington; Rose Peithman, 86, of Hoyleton Township; Gustav Friend, 69, of Irvington; Mrs. Ernest Campbell, 86, formerly of Nashville; Dick Bowyer of Johnson City; and Bernard Dietz, 66, of Marissa.
Forty-Five Years Ago
(1971)
Cpl. Robert Jack returned home after serving with combat units for the 1st Marine Division around DaNang, Vietnam.
Michael Suwe was named Nashville City Clerk.
Mike Janssen won the 440 yard dash at the state high school track meet in Champaign.
The Nashville High School baseball team defeated Pinckneyville, 14-1, to win the sectional baseball tournament.
Deaths: Robert Lewis, 91, of Nashville; Augusta Kaufman, 91, of Cordes; Elvira Decker, 60, of Centralia; Harvey Dintelman, 70, of Oakdale; Helena Kuhl, 70, of Albers; Frank Stern, 71, of Chester; and Augusta Kraudel, 73, of Radom.
Forty Years Ago
(1976)
Todd Patton received two shares of Illinois Power Co. stock for being the winner in a power plant tour essay contest.
Mr. and Mrs. Orville Stegman of Addieville purchased the business building on East St. Louis Street in Nashville from Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Scott of Nashville.
Kevin Jones of Nashville played the titled role in the musical play “Oliver” presented by the Centralia Cultural Society.
Deaths: Isabella Kitowski, 59, of Nashville; Alma Doelling, 73, of Stone Church; Helen Rountree, 59, of Champaign; Balthaser Scheel, 77, of Okawville; Adolph Temme, 75, of Okawville; and Deweey Maxwell, 77, of Nashville.
Thirty-Five Years Ago
(1981)
Michael Curry of Nashville was appointed to the state Water Supply Operator Certification Advisory Board.
A strong wind blew part of the roof off the National Mine Service Co. building in Nashville.
Three days of rain which brought 3.49 inches of water to Nashville relieved a drought.
Fire severely damaged the Town and Country Restaurant in Coulterville.
Memorial wreaths were $1.99 at Lee’s in Nashville.
Deaths: Elaine Petri, 62, of Nashville; Arthur “Butch” Westermeyer, 77, of Irvington; Charles Krausz, 49, of New Baden; Ella Klasing, 76, of Okawville; Arley Tudor, 72, of Woodlawn; Joseph Carman, 85, of Washington Park; Irvin Peithmann, 76, a native of Hoyleton; Roger Smith, 50, of Murphysboro; Henry Bates, 70, of St. Louis; Dr. Glenn Allen, a native of Nashville; Joseph Gezella, 75, a native of Bolo Township; and Earl Wentworth of Laguna Hills, CA.
Thirty Years Ago
(1986)
Washington County Board voted to include an advisory resolution on the November ballot asking voters if they favored repeal of the mandatory seat belt law.
A reorganization committee for schools in Clinton and Washington counties recommended no reorganization.
Nashville placed into service a new 200,000 gallon water tower on Holzhauer Drive.
Two days of heavy rain were blamed for the collapse of part of the outside wall at RJ’s Place in Nashville.
Deaths: Rev. John O’Keefe, 74, formerly of Nashville; Anton Szramkowski, 90, of Bolo Township; Alexander Rozycki, 71, formerly of Nashville; Louis Miller, 84, a native of Du Bois; Emma Kratz, 78, of Okawville; Minnie Gauch, 76, of Belleville; Fred Rohlfing, 88, of Centralia; and Aloysius Rakers, 64, of Aviston.
Wedding: Alisa Smith and Ronald Thienpont.
Twenty-Five Years Ago
(1991)
Darin Lee was named head basketball coach of the NCHS Hornets.
Washington County Circuit Judge Lloyd Karmeier was on of five finalists for a new federal judgeship in southern Illinois.
The Nashville High School girls softball team captured its first ever regional championship by beating Freeburg 3-0.
Oakdale Grade School Board received a petition signed by 233 residents asking the board not to purchase a computer for the school office, but instead use the money to directly benefit the students.
Elmer Oelze Jr., 1990 “Wildcatter of the Year” died at the age of 57.
Ira Harrison, 20, of Nashville died after he lost control of his car on Huegely Road.
Other deaths: Hilda Oller, 95, of Nashville; Irene Alfeldt, 88, of Oakdale; Connie Oltmann, 63, of O’Fallon; Nellie Wreath, 77, of Litchfield; Fred “Bo” Beuckman, 53, of Chesterfield, MO; Mary Hoffman, 44, of Fairview Heights; and Sarah May Walters, four months old, of Decatur.
Weddings: Catherine Kujawa and Robert Irwin; Debra Engelmann and Tommy Perjak; and Sheryl Kabat and David Weber.
Births: Steve and Kimberly Kurtz of Nashville, a son; Terrie Samples of Nashville, a son; Mike and Jody Berkemeier of Okawville, a daughter; Barbara Ehret and Dennis Johnston of Nashville, a daughter; and Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Green of Shawnee, KS, a daughter.
Twenty Years Ago
(1996)
Rev. Sam Roethemeyer, a 1968 alumnus, was chosen to speak at the NCHS graduation.
Nashville City Council approved a five-year sales tax rebate for Alexander Ford and Mercury and Holzhauer Pro Motor Sports, which were expanding their operations.
Tax assessments were set to rise 30 percent across the county, and farm land received a 10 percent increase.
Ashley City Council purchased land on Main Street for a new city hall.
Twelve packs of Bud were $6.48 while Stag went for $3.98 at All Mart.
Deaths: Gertrude Swinford, 64, of Nashville; Robert Baugh, 76, of Ashley; William Brennecke, 69, of Las Vegas; Edna Blumenhorst, 85, of Okawville; Flora DeFend, 88, of Nashville; Aloys Zinck, 65, of Belleville; Mildred McClure, 84, of Nashville; Charles Heinks, 70, of Chester; Wilma Ibendahl, 81; Eula Steinkamp, 69, of Venedy; and Golda Donnell, 89, of Nashville.
Wedding: Lisa Toennies and Kevin Deering.
Births: Cory and Paula Dintelman, a daughter; William and Tammy Yung of Du Bois, a daughter.
Fifteen Years Ago
(2001)
Bishop Wilton Gregory offered prayers for a successful growing season and bountiful harvest at the John and Helen Kuberski farm.
Nashville City Council paid $100,000 to purchase the property of Leroy Bergmann on East Elm Street as a site for city hall.
Washington County Youth Choir directed by Don and Delayna Beatty, recorded a CD entitled “American Illinois Home.”
Okawville Grade School Principal Louis Obernuefemann resigned to become superintendent at Hoyleton Grade School.
John Schmale, Jesse Povolish and Ben Reeder qualified for the state track meet from NCHS.
Deaths: Melroy “Bud” Holzhauer, 76, of Washington; Herman Bergmann, 74, of Nashville; Erna Neuhaus, 90, of Hoyleton; Herbert Steinkamp, 86, of Stone Church; Verdell Meier, 72, of Okawville; Mary Trieglaff, 93, of Richview; David Pieszchalski, 50, of Granite City; Lydia Eigenrauch, 92, of Addieville; and Pauline Phillips, 77, of Pinckneyville.
Weddings: Melissa Meade and Christopher Stalets; Rose Mary Pinkston and Wayne Ketchum; Rebecca Hutchings and Eric Kujawa.
Births: Mark and Becky Styninger of Nashville, a daughter; Peter and Krissi Hulme of Edwardsville, a daughter; Joshua and Stacy Milburn of Centralia, a daughter; Greg and Christina Lueking of Woodlawn, a daughter; Steven and Michelle Lang, a daughter; Dale and Nancy Ibendahl of Oakdale, a son; Kim and Carrie Morris of Nashville, a son; Drs. Greg and Sara McDaniel of Fishers, IN, a daughter; and Chris and Tami Schaff of Richardson, TX, a son.
Ten Years Ago
(2006)
A veterans’ memorial, an Eagle Scout project by Kale Hug, was dedicated at Radom Village Park.
Repairs delayed the opening of Memorial Park Pool.
Dr. Susan Jones, daughter of Phil and Judy Jones of Nashville, was the NCHS graduation speaker.
A grease fire was the cause of a blaze that damaged the Jim Kitowski home in rural Nashville.
Jessica Ibendahl of NCHS finished 8th in the triple jump at the state track meet, topping the school record.
Larry Unverfehrt was named Hoyleton Grade School president.
Deaths: Cheryl Denton, 41, of Oakdale; Harold Borrenpohl, 81, of Okawville; Edith Heidenreich, 79, of Nashville; Lorraine Johns, 82, of Freeburg; and Mary Liszewski of Du Bois.
Five Years Ago
(2011)
Area residents can look forward to a busy holiday weekend as the Nashville Lions Club holds its annual Maifest, and veterans’ groups remember America’s service personnel with a Memorial Day Service.
The Bob Schaltenbrand Memorial Boy Scout House was dedicated to the long-time Scout leader at a ceremony at Memorial Park Saturday. Judy Schaltenbrand, Bob’s wife, was give the honor of cutting the ribbon to welcome past, present, and future Scouts into the building.
A bus company with a significantly lower bid prompted one Nashville High School Board member to ask for public input as the board attempts to sort out the district’s transportation contract. Illinois Central School Bus submitted a bid $145,083 per year lower than the combined bids from the local companies.
The Nashville Hornettes captured the Waltonville Regional Championship after defeating DuQuoin 7-1. It was the first Regional Championship for the Hornettes since 2007.
Jennifer Moeller brought home a fourth place medal in shot put to highlight the Nashville Hornettes’ trip to the IHSA State Meet last week.
Deaths: Kathryn James, 67, of Beaucoup; Alfred Harre Jr., 83, of Okawville; Caroline Meier,88, of Okawville; Roy Miller, 84, of rural Centralia; Glen Marquard, 52, of Venedy; Florence Kabat, 90, of O’Fallon Mo.; Gerturde Pierjok, 89, of Ashley; Barbara Dintelmann,47, of Nashville; Shirley McCool, 88, of Nashville; Cecelia Kitowski, 92, of Nashville.
Births: Owen Eugene Povolish, a boy to Jason and Victoria Povolish of Nashville.
Anniversaries: Leonard and Lois Obermeier of Okawville celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary; Walter and Patricia Pelker, of Scheller celebrated their 50th Anniversary.
Engagements: Lindsay Weathers and Jordan Fark announced plans for a September wedding. Heather Jana Small and Lawrence Anthony Miller announced plans for a summer wedding.
