Greenville Illinois News WGEL Daily 3-27

6-12-2006

GREENVILLE POLICE RECOVER LARGE NUMBER OF STOLEN ITEMS...........

Greenville police with the assistance of the Bond County Sheriff's Department have recovered a large number of stolen goods. According to police, there were a few hundred items found at a home in Royal Lake. These include jewelry, lap top computers, video games and units, televisions, and stereos. Sergeant Deb Keserauskis told WGEL that the items came from seven residential burglaries and a burglary at the Greenville First Christian Church. She said that the burglaries date back as far as six months ago. Police are still attempting to locate the owners of some items. Keserauskis indicated that at least one item belonged to a Vandalia man although it is not clear how or when it was stolen.

A major break in the case came Wednesday morning when Greenville police with the assistance of the Bond and Montgomery county sheriff's departments executed an arrest warrant at a residence in Panama. A 19-year-old Greenville man was taken into custody, which led to the search of the house in Royal Lake. Police confirmed to WGEL that a 15-year-old Royal Lake teen who they arrested June 3rd during the investigation of a burglary on Wyatt Street was also allegedly involved. Police have other juvenile suspects in the case. Authorities also believe the group was responsible for the theft of five ATVs from G and C Motorsports. Four of the ATVs have since been recovered in various locations around Bond and Fayette counties.

LATEST ETHANOL PLANT PLANNED FOR OUTSIDE OF SPRINGFIELD

A group of corn growers say they are ready to build a 200-million-gallon ethanol plant not too far from the state capital. The producers are moving ahead with the $300 million ethanol plant in the small town of Waverly. Planners say they should be ready to start construction soon. They hope to open the plant in 2008. This ethanol plant is the latest in a string of medium sized plants planned for Central and Western Illinois. The growers say it will mean more jobs and more money for local farmers looking to sell their grain.

CARDINALS TICKET AUCTION

The Bond County Special Olympics Torch Run and WGEL are auctioning four infield field box tickets for the August 17th Cardinals/Reds game at Busch Stadium. Our auction is this Thursday from 7 until 8am during the Mike and John Show. We’ll be taking bids for these four tickets courtesy of DeMoulins. The auction coincides with the Special Olympics torch run coming to the Greenville square at noon that day. All proceeds from our auction Thursday morning will benefit the Special Olympics Illinois. Don’t miss this opportunity to bid on four great seats to see the Cards and the Reds on August 17th. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is also hosting a barbecue beginning at 10:30am that day.

SEARCH FOR THREE YEAR OLD

It was a happy ending for this story. Friday afternoon Greenville Police, County officers and Greenville firefighters were called out to Patriots park to search for a lost 3 -year-old boy. They boy was located safe and sound.

ROAD CLOSURE

The Bond County Highway Department is closing the Pleasant Mound Road at Mulberry Grove Road today from 9am until 2PM. This closure is for cross-culvert replacement. A detour route will be provided.

AFHM RAIL DIVISION MAKING TRACKS

tracklaying

In conjunction last Saturday's tractor drive at the American Farm Heritage Museum, the rail division held its first track laying workday. Rail president David Kessinger called the day a great success. Around 120 feet of the 15-inch gauge track was laid. Saturday's project included the construction of a clay-raised base followed by a layer of crushed concrete and then the placement of the ties. Once completed, the scale railroad will provide transportation around the farm museum grounds.

911 COORDINATOR WORKING TO RESOLVE PAGING PROBLEMS

At Thursday's 911 Board Meeting, 911 coordinator Alan Davis reported that studies will be conducted to try and resolve the paging problem for the Fire Department and EMS in parts of Bond County. In areas in the northern and southern part of Bond County the Fire Department and EMS do not receive pages at times. To resolve this Davis said that the paging antennas on the Crown Castle Tower will be raised. This is only a test for three to six months to see if it will work. If it does not solve any problems then the antennas will have to be relocated to another tower.

In other business, Davis said that he received a non-disclosure agreement from Vonage on the Voice Over IP System. Voice Over IP is a system that you can buy from a technology store. If you go on vacation and have a laptop computer you can take this Voice Over IP system with you and use your computer any place that there is Internet access and you can make phone calls at no cost. The concern with Voice Over IP is people using it to call 911 are directed to a call center in Canada where the call is then transferred to a local responder. Davis is hoping to get a system set up to where people calling 911 from the Voice Over IP box while they are at home, will be directed to Greenville and not Canada. He said he has given the agreement to Bond County State's Attorney Chris Bauer for review.

Meeting dates for July and August have been changed. The meeting in July will be on July 6 and the Board will meet in August on the third.

LOCAL STUDENTS WIN SCHOLARSHIPS FOR BLOOD DONATION

Central Illinois Community Blood Center's First Annual Southern Illinois High School Challenge was a huge success netting 1,378 units of blood for patients in need of blood in local hospitals. 10 local schools from Bond, Madison, and St. Clair counties participated in the challenge. The schools were divided into three size groups for the competition.

A luncheon was held on May 31 in Belleville to award the winning schools the scholarships. The awards went to students chosen by school administrators. Greenville students Amanda Lawson and Chelsea Marti will each receive at $500 scholarship to help with their education at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Lawson will pursue a degree in animal science and Marti will pursue a degree in agricultural business.

CICBC supplies blood to 19 hospitals in central and southern Illinois including Greenville Regional Hospital.

CHAMBER HOSTING MEETING ON PROPOSED FEE

The Greenville City Council has been considering a business license fee for local merchants. This coming Tuesday the Greenville Chamber of Commerce will hold a meeting for interested businesses to talk with City Manager Dave Willey about the proposal. According to Chamber Executive Director Julia Jenner, the meeting will be held from 7:30 until 8:30am at the Bradford Community Room and is open to all business owners. Willey will explain the proposed fee and those attending can fill out a survey.

SHIMKUS' TRAVELING HELP DESK TO BE IN SORENTO AND OAKDALE

On June 16 Congressman John Shimkus' "Traveling Help Desk" will be at the Sorento Municipal Building from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Shimkus calls this service "Traveling Help Desk" because you can seek assistance from his office at a location near you. Appointments are not necessary, just stop in. The Help Desk will be answering questions about Social Security Benefits, military medals that were lost or never received, and will also answer questions about taxes and federal government agencies. Persons needing special accommodations should call 618-344-3065 at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled office hours

OBITUARIES

JUNE THOMPSON HUNTER

June Thompson Hunter, a lifelong native of Bond County died at 10:08 a.m. Saturday, June 10, 2006 at her daughter Patricia Bond's lake home where she had resided since 1994.

Funeral Services will be held at 2pm Tuesday at the Donnell-Wiegand Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Mt. Auburn Cemetery. Visitation will be held after 4pm Monday at the Donnell-Wiegand Funeral Home in Greenville. For those who desire, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church or Cornerstone Community Church.

Mrs. Hunter was born in LaGrange Township on June 15, 1914, the daughter of the Late Dwight Moses and Mildred Edith Booher Thompson. She attended Bond County schools. She was a charter member of the first 4-H Club in Bond County - "Ye Olden Art Club." In 1931 she attended the Illinois State Fair School for Girls and received the top honor in the state for her sewing ability - her reward, a new Singer Sewing Machine.

June and Frank D. Hunter were united in marriage on November 24, 1937 at her parents home in LaGrange Township and they enjoyed over 45 years together. He preceded her in death on May 20, 1982.

Mr. and Mrs. Hunter were business partners in the retail grocery business having first worked together for the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company in Greenville where Mr. Hunter was the Manager of this store. In April 1944 , they purchased the IGA store located at 111 College Avenue in the Joy Building on the north side of the square, making it the first self-serve grocery store in Greenville. In 1965 , they leased the Weise Building at 215 W. College Avenue and continued this store operation until 1965. In 1968 Mrs. Hunter opened a retail fabric business known as June's Fabrics, and operated this until her retirement in 1974.

Mrs. Hunter is survived by her son, Frank Douglas (Sandra) Hunter of Charlotte, N.C.: daughter, Mrs. Morris (Patricia J.) Bond of Greenville, three grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Surviving brothers are Wayne Thompson of north of Greenville, Ronald Thompson of Fayetteville, N.C. and sister Jeanne, Mrs. Edward Krause of L.A. CA. June is preceded in death by her brothers John and Dean Thompson, and Dwight in infancy and her sister Geneva Singletary.

Mrs. Hunter was a Past Worthy Matron of the Greenville Order of the Eastern Star and was also recognized for having been a 50 years member of this order. She also held state committee appointments to Illinois Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Past Worthy Matrons Club, Utlaut Hospital Auxiliary, Browning Club, and a charter member of the Home Extension.

DUANE L. REEVES

Duane Lee Reeves, passed away at 12:45 p.m. Saturday at Greenville Regional Hospital.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the Greenville First Baptist Church with Rev. Charles Reed, officiating. Interment will follow in Mt.Auburn Cemetery with Military Honors by American Legion Post 282 of Greenville. Friends may call at the Donnell-Wiegand Funeral Home after 4 pm Wednesday and at the First Baptist Church after 1 PM Thursday. For those who desire memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church or Greenville Regional Hospital.

Duane Lee Reeves, the son of Leo Forest and Viola Electa (McCullah) Reeves, was born on June 10, 1932 in Greenville. He grew up here and attended the Greenville Schools and graduated with the Class of 1950 from Greenville High School. He attended Greenville College and received his honoray Degree from Greenville College in the late 1970's.
Early in life he had been a paper boy for the Advocate, worked there during high school and college. he joined the Air Force during the Korean Conflict and served overseas in Germany. Upon his return stateside he became a reporter for the Greenville Advocate later working his way up to Owner, Publisher and Editor. He was active in the publication of the Advocate until his death.

Duane and M. Marie Zeller were united in marriage on July 17, 1955 in Spring Arbor, Michigan at her parents garden. They have enjoyed over 50 years together and are the parents of their two children who survive: Jane A. Mrs. David Castelein of St. Charles, Mo and Richard D. (Ronda) Reeves of north of Greenville, 5 grandchildren and one great grandchild. Marie also survives and has lovingly cared for him thru these many difficult months. Duane is also survived by his two brothers: Marvin C. (Carolyn) Reeves of Arthur, and Ronald D. (Deanna) Reeves of Litchfield, Il.

Duane is a member of the American Legion Post 282, the Greenville Commercial Club, the Illinois Press Association, formerly a Jaycee, the Southern Illinois Editorial Association and was past President, and his church, the Greenville First Baptist Church.

ERNEST R. PRIESMEYER

Ernest R. Priesmeyer, at 84 of rural Pocahontas, passed away at 7:20 p.m. Saturday at St. John's Hospital in Springfield. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Donnell-Wiegand Funeral Home with Rev. Ron Lindley, officiating. Interment will follow in Robinson Cemetery. Friends may call at the Donnell-Wiegand FUneral Home after 4 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday until service time.Memorial contributions may be made to the Bond County Health Department or the Cross of Victory Church.

Ernest Richard Priesmeyer, the son of Henry Melvin and Hattie (Woodward) Priesmeyer, was born on October 20, 1921 in Pleasant Mound, Illinois. He grew up on the farm near five points. Following his fathers death when he was young he left school and began farming for his family. He later farmed north of Greenville and in 1960 purchased the farm in Old Ripley Township north of Pocahontas and has raised his family there. He also worked out of Labor Local of Belleville and Pocahontas as a truck driver doing construction.

Ernest and V. Ellen Ballard were united in marriage on November 24, 1956 in Coffeen and have enjoyed over49 years together. She survives as do their children: Ernie T. (Brenda) Priesmeyer of Millersburg, Paul J. Priesmeyer of rural Pocahontas, Rose E. Alexander of bay City, Michigan, Theresa M, Mrs. Steve Washena, of Owatonna, MN, Mary Ann, Mrs. Robert Landry of Grantfork, and Cathy, Mrs. Badie Hassan of Jacksonville, Florida. There and five grandchildren surviving.

Ernest is the last of his generation being survived by one sister in law Madeline Priesmeyer of Greenville and being preceded in death by his brother Henry Priesmeyer, 1/2 brothers Russell and Bill Dunlap, and step sisters Laura, Nellie and Velma Goodson.

Ernest is a member of the Labor Local of Belleville and attended the Cross of Victory Church.

WANDA TIPSWORD

80-year-old Wanda Tipsword of Sorento passed away Thursday at her residence. Funeral services for 80-year-old Wanda Tipsword will be held Monday at 11:00 a.m. at the Perfetti Funeral Home in Sorento. Burial will be in Sunnyside Cemetery. Friends may call Sunday from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Perfetti Funeral Home in Sorento.

HELEN ZYKAN

81-year-old Helen Zykan of Bethalto passed away Saturday evening at her residence. Visitation for 81-year-old Helen Zykan will be from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Elias-Smith Funeral Home. A prayer service will be at 4:30 p.m. at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Bethalto. Memorials are suggested to Right to Life or to the American Cancer Society. She was the mother of John Zykan of Greenville and formerly owned and operated the Bel Air Motel in Greenville

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