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Partnership 25th anniversary series: Christina Niehaus Blevins

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Christina Niehaus Blevins is the 22nd scholar to be recognized by The Partnership for Educational Excellence in commemorating its 25th anniversary in 2017.  This 501(c)3 education foundation in Macoupin County CUSD7 has invested nearly $800,000 in district children since 1992.  The Partnership is celebrating the accomplishments of some of its 393 past scholars with weekly mini-biographies throughout this school year.

Christina Niehaus Blevins graduated from Gillespie High School (GHS) in 2003, earning the Emil Borgini Commemorate Your Favorite Teacher Scholarship.  The $500 award was deposited with Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois.

Christina attended Greenville College from 2003 to 2007.  She earned a BS in secondary biology education.  In addition, she obtained a middle school endorsement in science education and in English/language arts.

Her current plans are to begin work on a master’s degree in the next year or two.

Christina taught high school science right after college at Greenville High School for two years before returning to her hometown.

“I am currently in my seventh year at Gillespie Middle School (GMS),” she says.  These years include teaching “English/language arts for five years,” she explains.  “And I am currently in my second year teaching sixth grade science.”

She also coaches track and field as well as girls’ basketball at GMS and girls’ basketball at Gillespie High School (GHS).

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“I married Cory Blevins (GHS 2001) in 2011, and we have a son, Eli, who was born in 2013,” she says.  “We are avid Cardinals and Blues fans, and love going to games.  I also enjoy spending time with family, baking cakes, making flowers, and attending Eli’s activities.”

A committed and talented teacher, Christina is a supporter of post-secondary education.  “Education is a wonderful gift,” she says.  “I am so glad that as a teacher I am able to give back in the classroom some of the knowledge that I have gained over the years.”

As to the benefits derived from her Partnership award, Christina reports: “Because of my scholarship from The Partnership, along with many others, I was able to pay for nearly all my freshman year of college without student loans!”

Christina is the daughter of Gary Niehaus and Sheryl Niehaus, both of Gillespie.

For information or to donate to The Partnership: www.thepartnership7.org or P.O. Box 125, Gillespie IL 62033.

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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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