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Gillespie Police Report: June 28-July 4, 2020

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SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2020

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Oak Street regarding a disturbance.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Oak Street in Benld regarding theft.

An officer was dispatched to a business in the 100 block of East Maple Street regarding theft.

Tina M. Youtz, 43, of Gillespie was arrested on a warrant out of Alton for failure to appear on forgery. She was unable to post bond and was turned over to an Alton Officer.

MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2020

Michael D. Middleton, 28, of Gillespie was cited for no valid motorcycle license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

An officer was dispatched to the Gillespie Police Department to speak with a female regarding financial exploitation of the elderly.

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Kenneth J. Costello, 53, of Litchfield was arrested for driving while license was suspended and on a warrant out of Montgomery County for burglary. He was transported to the Macoupin County Jail.

An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department regarding a theft.

Bob E. Hughes, 61, of Gillespie was cited for driving while his license is suspended. He was given a notice to appear in court.

TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2020

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South 1st Street in Benld regarding a theft.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2020

Elizabeth M. Dugan, 38, of Gillespie was issued a citation for dogs running at large in the 500 block of East Walnut Street.

An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of LJ Ave regarding a domestic dispute. Bryan E. Vanmeter, 32, of Gillespie was arrested for aggravated domestic battery and transported to the Macoupin County Jail.

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THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2020

An officer was dispatched to the 500 of East Central Ave for a juvenile issue.

An officer was dispatched to a traffic crash at North Macoupin Street and East Maple Street. Collin S. Woolsey, 24, of Vandalia was issued citations for pedestrian’s right of way at a marked crosswalk and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. He was given a notice to appear in court.

An officer was dispatched to a business in the 200 block of Southern Street for criminal damage to property.

An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male regarding a theft.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North 6th Street in Benld for a domestic dispute. Collin G. Campbell, 34, of Benld was arrested for aggravated domestic battery and was transported to the Macoupin County Jail.

An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a female regarding fraud.

An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a family regarding a suicidal and runaway juvenile.

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Amanda J. Bieber, 43, of Tower Hill was issued a citation for speeding 45 mph in a 30 mph zone.

Samuel R. Hilgediek, 23, of Lafayette, IN was issued a citation for speeding 48 mph in a 30 mph zone.

FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2020

An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Donaldson Street regarding property damage.

An officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street for a fight.

Christina M. Sneed, 42, of Gillespie was cited for illegal possession of cannabis in a motor vehicle and was given a notice to appear in court.

Latisha L. Conner, 29, of Gillespie was cited for driving while license is suspended and was given a notice to appear in court.

Jeffrey V. Norton, 58, of Bunker Hill was cited for speeding 50 mph in a 30 mph zone.

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Donna M. Schmid, 51, of Gillespie was cited for disobeying a stop sign.

SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2020

Cheann L. Migut, 21, of Gillespie was cited for a dog at large and Owner’s Duties/Humane Care and Treatment.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Main Street in Benld regarding a domestic dispute. Brittany Sherfy, 35, of Benld was arrested for domestic battery and transported to the Macoupin County Jail.

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Obituaries

Death of Jean Marie Boston Wilson

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Jean Marie Boston Wilson, 52 of Staunton, passed away at 6:46 AM on Sunday, October 8, 2023, at Community Hospital of Staunton. She was born on March 10, 1971, in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of the late Jerry and Mary (Ackerman) Boston.

She was a homemaker. She enjoyed 5D Diamond Art, gardening, painting, cooking, baking, and arts and crafts.

She is survived by her son, Nicholas Wilson; two sisters, Anne Hood and  Barbie Ivey Boston; a brother, Joe (Peggy) Boston; several nephews; and her beloved dog, Max. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; a nephew, Don Ivey Jr.; and a brother-in-law, Donald Ivey.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the family. Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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First class of athletes inducted into CUSD 7 Athletic Wall of Fame

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Gillespie Community School District recently held its firstt inaugural class of its “Athletic Wall of Fame” on October 1, 2023. The inductees were invited to participate in the Homecoming Parade and then a “meet and greet” at the high school football game.

Here is a list of the inductees and a brief biography of their accomplishments.

Sam Anderson graduated from Benld in 1952. He participated in football, baseball, basketball, and track for 4 years earning all-conference in three sports and All-State in football and basketball. He was a St. Louis Browns professional baseball tryout and played basketball at St Louis University for one year and Eastern Illinois University football for two years. He scored over 1300 career points in high school basketball.

Keith Parker graduated from Gillespie in 1940. He participated in football, basketball, and track and earned nine varsity letters. He played football at University of Missouri and National Champion Purdue University for one year each. He was drafted by the Baltimore Colts. He was a football and basketball official for 41 years and inducted into Granite City Hall of Fame, Missouri Football Hall of Fame, NFHS Hall of Fame, and Greater St Louis Hall of Fame.

Lisa (Ribes) Roberts was a graduate of Gillespie HS in 1996. She participated in multiple sports including four yrs in track. She holds the school record in 1600 and 3200 meters. She ran track at SIUE for 4 years and is a professional Tri-Athlete and 6x Iron Man Champion. She has participated in over 100 triathlons around the world and holds multiple Iron Man course records.

Jim Hlafka graduated from Gillespie in 1952. He earned all-conference in basketball. He played basketball at St Louis University and Eastern Illinois University for one year each. He coached Bunker Hill High School basketball for 43 years and ranks 13th in IHSA career wins with a record of 754-347. Hlafka was also inducted into the IBCA Hall of Fame.

Gordon Hartweger graduated from Gillespie in 1957. He participated in basketball, baseball, and track for four years earning all-conference honors in basketball. He played basketball at St Louis University for 4 years earning MVP and Captain. He was the assistant basketball coach at St Louis University for 5 years and played in the NIT National Finals.

Jerry Grandone graduated from Gillespie in 1960. He participated in basketball, track, and football earning all-conference in basketball and track. After Gillespie, he played basketball and track at Eastern Illinois University for 4 years. He held hurdle records, MVP, and track captain at Eastern Illinois, basketball captain at Eastern Illinois, and earned seven varsity letters at Eastern Illinois. Grandone coached basketball in Coal City and Gillespie, was the track coach at Coal City five years, and in Gillespie for 38 years.

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Rick Bertagnolli graduated from Gillespie in 1978. He participated in football, basketball, baseball, and track earning all-conference in football and baseball. He played baseball at Lewis and Clark and SIUE for two years each and was the MVP and Captain at Lewis and Clark. Bertagnolli was a men’s Olympic Festival softball and Major fastpitch softball for five years and earned the IHSA Softball Coach of the Year. Bertagnolli coached softball at Wabash Valley Jr College, University of South Carolina-Spartanburg and California University of Pennsylvania for 20 years winning the Div. II National Champion twice and also receiving the Conference, Regional and National Softball Coach of the Year.

Bob Boston graduated from Gillespie in 1966. He participated in football and basketball for four years each. He is the all-time school basketball scoring leader with approximately 2000 points and also threw for over 2000 career passing yards. He earned all-conference football and basketball, and honorable mention little All-State football and basketball. He played basketball and football at University of Missouri for 2 years each and received over seven university scholarship offers from St Louis University, Air Force, Memphis State, LSU, Northwestern, Holy Cross, Princeton and Dartmouth.

The 1964 Gillespie football team was the last inductee with an 8-0-2 record. They were the last unbeaten football team with wins over Feitshans (Springfield SE), Hillsboro, Mt Olive, Pittsfield, Jerseyville, Carlinville, Nokomis and Dupo, and ties to Southwestern and Staunton. The team was coached by Bill Parmentier and Andy Easton.

Another class will be inducted in the fall of 2024. Wall of Fame nomination forms can be found on the Gillespie Community School District website.

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Obituaries

Death of James Rudolph Zirkelbach

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James Rudolph Zirkelbach, 86 of Benld, passed away on Sunday, October 8, 2023, at 12:10 a.m. at his residence in Benld. He was born November 26, 1936, in Shawneetown, IL to Gregory Zirkelbach and Beulah (Vaughn) Zirkelbach.

He married Mary V. Lebro on August 12, 1977, in Carlinville. James was a retired Sheriff for Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department in Carlinville, a member of the Macoupin-Montgomery Crime Stoppers, Illinois Sheriff’s Association, Former board member for Community Unit School District #7, Amvets, and a former member of the Macoupin County Board.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Zirkelbach of Benld; five sons, Robert (Sandee) Zirkelbach of Carlisle, IA, Dennis (Julie) Zirkelbach of Eagarville, James Zirkelbach of Benld, Mark (Sandy) Zirkelbach of Kemp, TX, Brad Zirkelbach of Wentzville, MO; three daughters, Tracy (Bret) Werner of Hamel, Joan (Brent) Cain of Carlinville, and Kimberly J. (Jack) Burns of Benld; two brothers, Andrew (Shirley) Zirkelbach of Alton and Eugene (Ruth) Zirkelbach of Kampsville, IL; and sister, Pat Navarre of Godfrey.

James was preceded in death by his parents; son, Brian Zirkelbach; sister, Cecelia Zirkelbach; and daughter-in-law, Bonnie Zirkelbach.

Friends may call on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at Kravanya Funeral Home, 203 E. Elm St., Gillespie, from 4:00 until 8:00 pm. Funeral services are Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Kravanya Funeral Home, 203 E. Elm St., Gillespie with Pastor Bob Zirkelbach officiating.

Burial will be at Benld Cemetery in Benld. Memorials are suggested to Crimestoppers or to Gillespie High School Cross Country. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.

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