Community News
Back in time: Robert “Fuzz” Linton, one of the best guards for Miner basketball
This article was written by the late Andy Easton featured in Gillespie Area News in 2002, contributed to TheBenGilPost.com by Steve Joyce at the Gillespie Public Library
Robert “Fuzz” Linton was one of the best play-making guards to ever handle a basketball for Gillespie High School. He was a skinny 6’1″ player who was far ahead of his time. He could see the court and you would swear that he had eyes in the back of his head.
He could dribble the ball like one of the Harlem Globetrotters. He had no competition when it came to passing the ball and he could take the ball to the basket. His Miner teammates learned very early that when “Fuzz” had the ball you had better be alert for his behind-the-back passes or his no-look pass that he threw with the speed of a bullet. If you weren’t paying attention, you might end up catching the ball with your face.
I doubt that there was any Gillespie boy who played more basketball than Linton. He played on the grade school’s seventh-grade team when he was in the fourth and fifth grade. He then played three years on the eighth-grade team. Do you know of any more players who played five years for Gillespie grade school?
In his sophomore year of 1959-60, Linton cracked the starting line up and the Miners won the Macoupin County Tournament as they beat Mt. Olive 73-61. In his senior year of 1961-62 they lost to Carlinville 54-59 in the County Title game but tied with the Cavies for the SCC Championship. The team of 61-62 played some very exciting games as they won nine games and lost two, both by two points or less.
During the 1960-61 season, the great Collinsville Kahoks came to play at Gillespie. This was the Kahok team of Bogie Redmond, Fred Riddle, Bobby Meadows, etc that went on to win the State. They outclassed the Miners 78-39 but when they were up 16-2 Gillespie’s Coach George Williams had “Fuzz” go into a one-man dribbling stall. The legendary Coach Virgil Fletcher watched with amusement as three of his players couldn’t get the ball or tie up Linton who ended up scoring 20 of Gillespie’s 39 points.
In another game his senior season, the Miners defeated Staunton 102-76. Gillespie was red hot and scored 40 points in the fourth quarter. This must be a Gillespie record, “Fuzz” threw in 27 points in this game. In his last game for GHS, the Miners lost to Litchfield in the Regional tournament 72-86. Linton put on a show and ended his career with another 27-point scoring performance.
During his junior and senior years of basketball, “Fuzz” Linton averaged 19 points and 15 assists a game.
After graduation, “Fuzz” attended and played ball at Western Illinois University for two years and then transferred to McKendree College where he was a two-year starter. His firth coaching job was at Bethalto where he stayed as an assistant coach in football, basketball, and track. For 10 years, he then went to Southwestern in 1980 and became head football coach and athletic director in 1984 and held that position until his retirement.
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In a decisive finish that underscored his rising dominance in Illinois Class 1A cross country, senior Chaz Oberkfell of Gillespie High School claimed the state title with a time of 14:31.10 at the IHSA State Cross Country Championships held at Detweiller Park on Saturday, November 8.
Finishing just behind Oberkfell, sophomore Evan Knobloch of Toulon (Stark County) crossed the line in 14:46.25, placing second. Rounding out the top five were senior Blake McLeese of Tuscola (14:46.45), senior Luca Bryja of Elgin (Harvest Christian Academy) with 14:48.38, and senior Elijah Teefey of Pleasant Plains at 14:49.02.
This victory marks Oberkfell’s second IHSA Class 1A state championship. He also won the state crown as a junior in 2024 with a time of 14:31.87. In his sophomore year, he finished 21st with a 15:21.43 season-best time.
Looking ahead, Oberkfell is set to compete in the New Balance NXR Midwest Regional Championships on Sunday, November 16, at the LaVerne Gibson Course in Indiana. The meet serves as a critical stepping stone toward the national championships, and Oberkfell will look to carry his state momentum into the regional stage.
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The community is invited to participate in a family-friendly, drive-thru charity event aimed at keeping local students warm this winter. The “Warm Up Our Kids” drive-thru takes place on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Karmak Campus, located at 1 Karmak Plaza, Carlinville, IL and is sponsored by Karmak and Carlinville Area Hospital and Clinics.
Additional drop-off boxes will be available at the following locations to maximize participation and convenience:
- Sullivans in Carlinville, Gillespie, and Litchfield
- Pharmacy Plus in Girard
- Sav-Mor Pharmacy in Virden
- CAH&C Clinic sites in Gillespie, Girard, Carlinville, and Virden
- Briar Rose in Litchfield
- Brave Hazel in Carlinville
- Oh-So Cute Boutique in Virden
Drive through the event route and drop off much-needed supplies listed below. All donations will directly benefit students in the participating school districts, helping ensure every child has the warmth and essentials they need to face the winter season. Community support help bridge gaps and bring tangible, immediate relief to families in need.
Join us in spreading warmth and goodwill this December. The Ben Gil Post and community partners look forward to seeing you at the Karmak Campus drive-thru.
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A Macoupin County jury found Jeffrey D. Brown, 50, of Sawyerville guilty of aggravated battery with a firearm in connection with the shooting death of Rodney Messerly, 42, also of Sawyerville, authorities said.
The verdict was delivered a little before 6 p.m. on November 4, 2025, after a days-long trial led by Macoupin County State’s Attorney Jordan J. Garrison. Brown now faces a mandatory prison sentence ranging from six to 30 years with the sentence to be served at 85 percent. The sentencing will take place on January 12, 2025.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, the incident unfolded on September 17, 2024, when Brown called 911 claiming Messerly had entered his home. Responding deputies found Messerly deceased on the front stoop outside the residence. Brown testified that Messerly had forced his way into the home, and he fired in self-defense inside the residence.
Surveillance video played to the jury depicted portions of the confrontation: Messerly speaking with Brown at the door outside the residence before Messerly pushes inside—off-camera for a stretch—followed by four gunshots fired from within the home. Messerly is seen falling back onto the front steps.
A video interview of Brown with Lt. Ryan Dixon of the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department revealed Brown stated he took three steps back inside the residence before firing the initial shots. Forensic pathologist Dr. Nathanial Patterson testified that the first four shots would have been fatal. Approximately seven seconds pass before Brown fires a final shot from inside the residence, striking Messerly in the chest as he yells an expletive.
Garrison offered condolences to Messerly’s family, calling the incident a “horrible situation” and noting that the healing process is just beginning for those affected. He described Messerly as having been experiencing delusions at the time of the incident and emphasized that the last shot was not in self-defense, characterizing it as an act of vengeance.
Brown faces additional charges in unrelated matters: Armed Violence (Class X felony) and Production of Cannabis Plants (Class 4) in 2024CF228, and Resisting Arrest Causing Injury to an Officer in 2024CF252.
Public sentencing is scheduled for January 12, 2025. Prosecutors cautioned readers that charges are not proof of guilt and that Brown is presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law.
