Skip to content

Way We Were

15 Years Ago

1998 – St. Elmo native Bruce Williams, a 1979 graduate of St. Elmo High School, was killed in a U.S. Navy helicopter crash.
Vandalia Community High School wrestler Ty Kidd placed third in the 160-pound class at the state-wrestling tournament.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hoffman of Bingham were celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary.
Emil Graumenz, a long-time resident of the St. Peter area, was celebrating his 90th birthday.
The Fayette County Hospital District was renovating the hospital annex in hopes of luring an orthopedic surgeon.
Wally Wiecherding, who hosted a Ku Klux Klan rally at his Vandalia Lake Home in 1995, was arrested on federal weapons charges.
City and school officials, along with a group of nine parents, met at city hall to discuss complaints about the actions of some junior high and high school students before and after school, as well as during lunch hours.
Rob Thompson resigned as a Fayette County Sheriff’s Office deputy to accept a job as a patrol officer for the city of Vandalia.
Floyd and Doris Elam of Vandalia were celebrating their 50th anniversary.

20 Years Ago

1993 – The Fayette County Board approved a six-month contract with Emergency Services & Disaster Agency Coordinator John Adermann, despite objections voiced by Adermann on some terms of the contract.
There was some talk about disbanding the Mid-State Conference, as a result of Pana and Shelbyville expressing an interest in joining the Okaw Valley Conference.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency sent the city of Vandalia a reimbursement check for work done on a leaking underground fuel tank at the city garage. However, the check was only for $7,698, while the city had expended about $213,000.
Gov. Jim Edgar appointed Fayette County Health Department Administrator Cara Kelly to the new State Board of Health.
Shanon Sellers of rural Mulberry Grove was hired as a patrol officer for the City of Vandalia.
Casey Hord of St. Elmo signed a letter if intent to play basketball at Millikin University in Decatur.
South Central High School senior Stacy Oertwig was selected for the James Millikin Honors Program at Millikin University.

25 Years Ago

1988 – Linda Murray of Altamont was hired as the program director for “Sky’s the Limit” teen center in Vandalia.
John Adermann of Ramsey was named coordinator of the Fayette County Emergency Services & Disaster Agency.
Vandalia’s baseball team took first place in the Cumberland Tournament, and Vandal Robert Garrison was named the Tourney’s MVP.

35 Years Ago

1978 – Charlotte Peters of KSDK-TV in St. Louis was the emcee for a fashion show held by Soroptimist International of Vandalia. James Hocker, administrator of Fayette County Hospital, announced the appointment of Joyce Mathis to the lab staff and Jack Ferguson to controller.
Gene Schwarm, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Schwarm of Loogootee, was a member of the University of Illinois’ top livestock judging team.
Tammy Towler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Towler of Patoka, won the district spelling bee sponsored by the St. Louis Globe-Democrat. After 43 years of teaching, Alenia McCord was retiring. Rich Rames, son of Dr. and Mrs. Don Rames of Vandalia, was the top rebounder on the Millikin University basketball team and was named to the academic all-state team.
CBS Television received an unusual response on its airing of a segment on the Vandalia American Legion Post’s “Avenue of Flags.” The Legion received letters from some celebrities, including CBS newscaster Walter Cronkite.
    
45 Years Ago

1968 – Paul Lude, who recently retired as the manager of A&P store in Vandalia, was named the manager of the Ben Franklin store here.
Ground was broken for a new Benner-Nawman plant in Vandalia. The Rev. Robert Simpson arrived in Vandalia to assume the pastorate of First Christian Church.
Glen “Bud” Hodson was elected chairman of the Fayette County Board of Supervisors. He succeeded Hillard Heather. Jesse Sefton was named to head the county’s Board of Review.

55 Years Ago

1958 – A twister left a path of damage near Mulberry Grove.
Goldie Ritter was installed as president of Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, and Gerald Hamilton was installed as commander of the VFW Post.
Vandalia councilmen ordered the midnight closing of bars in the city.
Floyd Staff was named summer recreation director by the Vandalia Park District. He succeeded his brother, Jim.

65 Years Ago

1948 – Harry Rogier was the new president of the Vandalia Chamber of Commerce. Forrest Taylor was vice president and Corral Brooks was treasurer. The chamber hired Dan Hawthorn as full-time secretary.
Twenty county men signed up to join the reserves. They were expected to get an anti-tank unit here.
 

Leave a Comment