It Happened Here – April 11, 2018

80 Years Ago
(1938)

Charles Evilsizer was appointed game warden of Washington County.
Deaths: Carrie Mueller of Nashville: James Reynolds, 66, Nashville; Catherine Farmer, 85, Richview; and William F. Althoff, 46, New Minden.
Wedding: Lela Foster of Woodlawn and Paul E. Sensel of Ashley.

75 Years Ago
(1943)

Mrs. Walter Dueker, 53, of North Prairie suffered a fractured skull and bruises when a team of horses she was holding bolted and ran.
Frank Glenn opened a moving picture theater in Ashley.
Charles R. Huegely was elected president of Nashville Rotary Club.
An estimated 109 gallons gasoline were stolen from tanks in front of Peter Johannes’ general store west of DuBois.
Republicans lost one seat of their large majority on the Washington County Board of Supervisors following elections. Independent Arnold Schmale defeated Republican incumbent H. F. Holzhauer in Nashville Township; Democrats S. J. Povolish defeated incumbent Rebublican Arthur Lehde in Beaucoup Township; while Republican N. Brown won over Democratic incumbent C. E. Cortelyou. Other winners were: Supervisors John H. Hails in Richview; Democrat Steve Wojtowicz in DuBois; Supervisor William Frederking in Pilot Knob; Ralph Baker in Lively Grove; and A.E. Leich in Oakdale.
Deaths: Grover Paul Lietz, 22, of Okawville, a merchant marine presumed lost at sea in the North Atlantic; Jacob Kobus, 78, of Nashville; C. L. Shuster, 50, former music instructor at Ashley High School; Emma Rayle, 65, of St. Louis, Missouri; Larry Gene Ardell Erb, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. George Erb Darmstadt; Caroline Oestreich, 84, Hoyleton; S. D. Newcomb, 87, Richview; and Emelia Maschhoff, 73, of St. Louis, Mo.

70 Years Ago
(1948)

Palm Sunday confirmands at Trinity Lutheran Church in Nashville were: Marilyn Holzhauer, Carol Ann Muenter, Barbara Jean Hampton, Edward Frederking, Charles Markwardt, Norma Brueggerman and Marilyn Sue Borchelt.
Byron O. House resigned as City Attorney in Nashville and W. L. Ragland resigned as Nashville Assistant Marshall.
Deaths: Katherine Kraus, 79, Belleville; Sophia Ahrens, 74, New Minden; Victor Scherle, 72, Pinckneyville; Minnie Temme, 72, Okawville; W. W. Roper, 89, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Arthur Weihe, 58, Detroit, Mich.; Mary Tonsing, 72, Okawville; Guy C. Livesay, a native of Washington County; and Clara Schumacher, 60, Venedy.
Weddings: Opal Jaspring and Albert C. Hale, of Nashville: Vera Finke of Hoyleton and Orlin Luessenheide of Stone Church; Vera Rehbein and Armin Isinghaus, both of Okawville; Lillian Edington of St. Louis, Mo. and Allysius J. Lisk of Beaucoup; Dorothy Nehrt and Kenneth Jaeger, both of St. Louis, Mo; Mary Louise Reither and Stuart Murphy, Both of St. Louis, Mo; Selma Eigenrauch of Plum Hill and Everett Hassebrock, Okawville; Esther Wilke and Melvin Eigenrauch, both of Nashville; and Virginia Ryterski of Nashville and James Schwartzkoph of Nashville.

65 Years Ago
(1953)

Billy Riechmann, a sophomore at Okawville High School, received a token check from the L & N railroad for reporting a damaged rail.
The Nashville Milk Company agreed to construct a $15,000 waste water treatment plant and turn it over to the city to meet Sanitary Water Board requirements. The City would remit half the company’s monthly sewer and water bills until the investment was recouped.
Anton Prange defeated incumbent Benedict Kitowski for Supervisor of Bolo Township. Republican Fred Thon won the only other race in Ashley Township, defeating Paul Hanrahan.
Regenhardt Construction Company of Cape Girardeau, Mo submitted the low bid of $167,300 for improving the road southwest from Oakdale to the Randolph County line.
Confirmands at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Nashville were: Norman Wilke, Mary Ann Smith, Karen Clark, JoAnn Renken, Aileen Wreath, Jay Woolbright, Johnny Darnstaedt, Ray Lynn Frederking and Marvin Koester.
A round-trip ticket to St. Louis, Mo., on the Greyhound bus was $2.35.
Men were encouraged to apply for employment at the Caterpillar Tractor company plant in Mt. Vernon.
Deaths: Elsa Hassler, 72, Nashville; Ralph Hogshead, Nashville; Albert C. Hagebusch, Okawville; Amanda Elizabeth Malott, 82, Coulterville; and Leonard Bochantin, DuBois.

60 Years Ago
(1958)

Lee Hill won the Democratic primary race for Sheriff. In the Republican primary, Lester Guthrie of Oakdale won the race for Treasurer and Freeman Kaser won the nomination for Sheriff.
Charles Rusiewski of Tamaroa was hired as librarian and commercial teacher at Nashville High School.
Confirmands at the Lutheran Church in New Minden were: Grace Eickmeyer, Gene Knolhoff and Sharon Spehe.
Confirmands at Trinity Lutheran Church were: Kenneth Harre, Jane Gutzler, Betty Ann Kuhlman, Dorothy Haake, Keith Borchelt, Paul Harre, David Harre, Janice Frederking, Richard
Finke, Bobby Sue Finke and Mary Jane Weihe.
Country style spareribs were 59 cents a pound and 10 No. 303 cans of pork and beans were $1.00 at the IGA store.
Deaths: William Cook, 79, Nashville; Elizabeth Lorothy Napieralki, 63, Radom; Dr. George W. Klosterhoff, 82, Irvington; and Albert R. Kemps, 87, Oakdale.
Wedding: Bernita Hammontree, St. Louis, Mo. and Russell A. Rogers, Okawville.

55 Years Ago
(1963)

St. John’s Lutheran Church in New Minden observed its centennial.
Mrs. Joseph Mesch of Nashville suffered burns to her face when she went to tend the furnace in her home.
A new crucifixion group was dedicated at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church Cemetery in Posen.
Leo R. Kramper, 25, was elected Supervisor of Fayette Township in St. Clair County, the youngest man ever to be elected to the St. Clair County Board.
Deaths: Bertha Eade, 86, Nashville; and Oliver W. Francis, 76, Coulterville.

50 Years Ago
(1968)

Employees of Nashville Clarkson Division of National Mine Service voted to accept a contract offer and end a two-month strike.
Deaths: Theodore H. Pries, 75, Covington; Wesley T. Meyer, 73, St. Louis, Mo.; Richard J. Maschhoff, 80, Hoyleton; Myrtle Hohman, 82, Washington County; Emil H. Weserman, 81, Nashville; Thomas Filipiak, 79, Radom; William H. Meentemeyer, 82, New Minden; Private John P. Nagy, 25, East St. Louis; Esther Downen, 63, Tamaroa; Anna Hoff, 82, Lively Grove; and Russell Bell, 87, Tamaroa.
Weddings: Arthur Thomas Smith and Judy Ann Strefling, both of Sawyer, Mich.; and Kay Vancil of Metropolis and Dennis Geerdes of Primghar, Iowa.

45 Years Ago
(1973)

Burglars stole a television set, two clocks, a shotgun and tool box from Ray Lee Wulf residence in rural Nashville.
Three bomb threats caused the evacuation of the Washington County Hospital.
The State Theater in Nashville closed.
Deaths: Ralph W. Klasing, Sr., 64, rural Venedy; Charmagne Louise Quale, 20, Ashley; Viola Rennegarbe, 55, Okawville; Denton Marion Coates, 76, Coulterville; Stella Roby, 94, Nashville; Louis H. Niermann, Sr., 68, rural Hoyleton; and Moritz F. Steinheimer, 84, Darmstadt.

40 Years Ago
(1978)

Roger Koelling of Hoyleton was elected Washington County Republican chairman, succeeding Alvin Ostendorf of Plum Hill Township.
Rhonda Sigman and Katheryn Doelling were confirmed at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Johannisburg.
Deaths: Edward Huge, Sr., 84, Hoyleton; Steve Joseph Wayer, 83, DuBois; Ida Dennis, 82, Washington County; Grace Pearl Walker, 87, Centralia; C. E. Williamson, Nashville; James M. Schooley, Jr., 81, Okawville; Lydia Maschhoff, 80, Hoyleton; and Fred Gottlieb Harre, 88, Nashville.
Wedding: Nancy K. Deason of Okawville and John W. Gaston of Salem.

35 Years Ago
(1983)

The Washington County Board defeated a measure which would have accelerated tax billing in a move to have tax money collected by July 1 each year.
California strawberries were $1.25 a quart and Imperial margarine was 59 cent a 16-ounce package.
Deaths: Virginia H. Meyer, 73, Nashville; Amelia E. Gottschammer, 86, Tilden; Albert A. Wernecke, 74, Nashville; Rose G. Carrol, 89, Ashley; Irving E. Ketchum, 66, Richview; Walter H. Brune, 83, Okawville; Anna Rosell, 84, Plum Hill Township; Dorothy Hall, 55, Nashville; Lydia E. Bock, 88, Washington County.
Weddings: Louise Barnett of Nashville and James Walsh of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Dana Barnett of Nashville and Jesse Montanez of Kingsville, Texas; and Teresa Ann White, formerly of Nashville, and Dennis Miller of Altoona, Iowa.

30 Years Ago
(1988)

Ashley State Bank and Hoyleton State and Savings Bank merged with Magna Group, Inc. of Belleville.
Confirmands at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hoyleton were: Kim Hanenberger, Kelly Rixman, Nick Huge, James Koelling and Angie Beckemeyer.
The Ashley Fire Department accepted delivery of a new 4×4 brush truck.
A tractor-trailer truck driver from Kentucky was killed when he was struck by a pick-up truck while standing beside his rig on Interstate 64 at milepost 46.
Deaths: Boleslaw “William” Lupa, 91, Madison; Beulah Lively, 78, Nashville; Lillian Dellert, 92, Ashley; Terry Lynn Blank, 24, Iuka: Evelyn V. Spencer, 74, Elizabethtown, Ky.; George H. Herrmann, 78, Plum Hill; and Helen M. Krause, 80, Belleville.
Births: Mr. and Mrs. Randy Habbe (Sara Borowiak) of Pocahontas, a daughter; Mr. and Mrs. Kurt A. Schamel (Gail Richards) of St. Louis, Mo., a son; Sergeant and Mrs. Stephen J. Frese (Georgiann Barsos) of Florida, a son; and Mr. and Mrs. Alan Gossett of DuQuoin, a son.

25 Years Ago
(1993)

Charles Holtgrewe was sworn in as postmaster in Nashville. He began his postal career here in 1973.
The Clinton-Washington County Regional Board of Education denied a petition to trasfer two three-acre parcels from Ashley to Nashville School District.
A semi-boneless whole ham cost 99 cents per pound at Kroger.
Deaths: Irene Gill, 79, Oakdale; Patrick Shea, Sr., 70 Sparta; Casmir Antkowiak, 87, Nashville; Anna Epplin, 82, Pinckneyville; Edward Poniewaz, 70; Elmer Laird, 79, Royalton; Earl Kell, 82, Walnut Hill.
Births: Mr. and Mrs. Miacheal Meier Tracey Hutchings) of Nashville, a son; Mr. and Mrs. Jim Dalman (Julia Epplin) of Nashville, a son; Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Shopinski (Donna Mamell) of Ashley, a son.

20 Years Ago
(1998)

Police raided the first known lab in Washington County used to produce the illegal drug, methamphetamine.
Deb Auld joined Family Medical Center as a physician assistant.
Ligma Corp. won the Q-1 award for quality parts and delivery from Ford Motor Company. Olympic gold medalist Julie Smith held a fast-pitch softball clinic at NCHS.
Over 40 people entered the first Easter Bonnet contest at the Oakdale Eggstravaganza, the twins Hazel Reichert and Helen Admire were judged to have the best bonnets.
Births: William and Michelle (Donnell) Abell of Nashville, a daughter; B. J. and Millie Peters of Springdale, Ark., a son; Jeff and Cindi (Doser) Schrader of Champaign, a son; Latosha Gales and Shawn Kitowski of Nashville, a daughter.
Deaths: Stella Stanowski, 84, Nashville; Emma Palmer, 85, Nashville; Mary Woodrome, 74, Mascoutah; Alma Neuhaus, 78, Hoyleton: Elsie Neuhaus, 71, Hoyleton; Lulu Sprehe, 92, Centralia; Helen Graham, 73, Chester; Darryl Rautman, Sr., 64, Columbia; Robert Fiedler, 56, Pagosa, Colo.; Valeria Kasperski, 86, Florissant, Mo; Golda Harriett, 92, Ore.

15 Years Ago
(2003)

Air Force Col. Bill Hudspeth (ret.) offered some insights into the war in Iraq to Nashville Lions Club members.
Susan Stiegman was anchor/reporter for KFVS-12 in Cape Girardeau.
Washington County Water Co. received a $77,000 federal grant to install two miles of water lines near Willisville.
Becky Rench was recognized for 12 years service to Nashville Grade School Board.
Lake Contracting Inc. was awarded a $138,000 contract to develop Washington County Nature Preserve.
Sean Markowski discovered an unmarked time capsule in the rubble of the old Nashville City Hall that contained items from 1915.
A package of four Cadbury candy eggs sold for $1.37 at Lee’s Variety.
Births: Brad and Amy Detering of Salem, a daughter; Chrystal and David Barbee, Jr. of Richview, a daughter; Ryan and Sandra (Moshure) Getz of DuBois, a daughter.
Deaths: Eileen Nowicki, 88, Centralia; Brenda Sledge, 58, Freeburg; Harry Sale, 75, Okawville; George Ulrich, 78, Mt. Vernon; James Kelly Jr., 45, Nashville.
Wedding: Janet Berry and TSgt. Timothy Heckman.

10 Years Ago
(2008)

The Washington County Arts Council was seeking ideas to be used for the community mural to be painted in downtown Nashville.
The Nashville City Council discussed funding for repairs and a new culvert to be put in at Willowbrook Drive, using Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds.
Regional Superintendent of Schools Keri Garrett hosted a panel discussion with local law enforcement agencies and district superintendents from Clinton, Marion, and Washington Counties, to discuss plans and procedures should a school emergency occur.
A lack of state funding threatened the closure of the Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District office.
The Nashville Hornets dominated the track meet held over the weekend, gathering twice as many points as second place Pinckneyville.
Retired Nashville High School athletic director Don Hawkins was inducted into the Illinois Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame.
Engagements: Ashleah Mendenhall and Mitchell Mathes announced their plans for a June 21 wedding. Monica Swinford and John Bevel planned to marry on June 20.
Births: Sean Jacob Meyer, born April 1, to Mr. and Mrs. Brian Meyer of St. Louis. Kelton Ray Roethemeyer, born March 26, to Douglas and Melanie Roethemeyer of Hoyleton.
Deaths: Violet Hixenbaugh, 98, of Centralia, on April 7; Infant Brody Miller, son of Dan and Kristen Miller of Blue Springs, Mo., on March 30; Carol Bishop, 63, of Nashville, on April 1; Donald Schwab, 73, of Oakdale, on April 2; Gene Gray, 78, of Lebanon, on April 4; Bernadine Logan, 71, of Ashley, on April 5; Joanne Povalish, 66, of Belleville, on March 31.

5 Years Ago
(2013)

A free electronics recycling day was held at the Community Center of Nashville. It was sponsored by the Washington County Board Solid Waste Committee and the Washington County Health Department.
Dan Heggemeier was honored at a banquet as the 2013 Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year.
Alleged Mt. Vernon carjacker David Pederson was arrested by Sheriff’s Deputy Danny Bradac and Nashville Police Officer Andy Reel at Circle K in Nashville.
Births: Jackson Robert Hamil was born March 28, to Lisa and Phillip Hamil of Nashville; Bennett Kryger Haertling was born on March 21 to Devin and Dana Haertling of Nashville.
Bridget Barth and Nathan Gilbreth were united in marriage on Saturday, March 9
Deaths: Tami Lynn Brautigam, 54, of Nashville, April 3; Gertrude Anna Silger, 95, of Scottsdale, Ariz., formerly of Hoyleton and Effingham, April 2; Ms. Arlene D. Povolish, 79, April 4; Howard Gustav Holle, 90, of Hoyleton, April 6; Mary H. “Marie”(nee Pedtke) Gruhala, April 3; Florence D. (Jasudowicz) Kesting, April 3.