Vandalia
Vandalia Native Traces Family Roots Through Poetry
Paul Stroble, a Vandalia native, has published his ninth poetry collection and his 25th book overall, continuing a body of work closely tied to local history and family memory. The collection, Holy Week, 1847, centers on Stroble’s third great grandmother, Comfort Williams, an Ohio widow who settled with her six children in the Four Mile…
Read MoreVandalia Honors Colin Ledbetter, First Responders in Blood Drive
Colin Ledbetter survived a life-threatening shooting thanks to the lifesaving power of donated blood, and on Tuesday, Jan. 6, the Vandalia community came together at the Moose Lodge to honor him and first responders. At the heart of the blood drive, Lisha Ledbetter, Colin’s mother, shared her admiration for her son, recounting the bravery that…
Read MoreKenneth “Gail” Barth, 83, Bethalto
Kenneth “Gail” Barth, 83, of Bethalto, IL, passed away on Monday, Jan. 12, at OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center in Alton. Per Gail’s wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. A Graveside Service and Interment will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 23, at McInturff Cemetery, rural Vandalia with Military Rites performed by Crawford-Hale American…
Read MoreWrestlers take second at Princeton
Three Vandals won their weight championships as Vandalia finished second at the prestigious Lyle King Princeton Invitational over the weekend. The Vandals accumulated 250 points, finishing second to Coal City, which had 272 points. Dixon was third, Stanford Olympia was fourth and Gibson City rounded out the top five. Taking first place at the tournament…
Read MoreSports Roundup
HS WRESTLING Boys Vandalia 59, Lawrenceville 18 106 pounds – Kaden Daugherty won by fall, 5:09 113 – Cooper Galloway lost by fall, 1:36 120 – Aiden Evans won by fall, 3:54 126 – Riley Hinton won by fall, 3:55 132 – V lost by forfeit 138 – Brody Matthews won by fall, 3:47 144…
Read MoreLeonard Charles Pinney, 92, Jacksonville
Leonard Charles Pinney went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, Jan. 3. Born on Dec. 4, 1933, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, he was the beloved son of Edwin Earl Pinney and Marian Sellers Pinney. Rev. Pinney’s formative years were spent in various states as his father’s work as…
Read MorePamela Grace Smith, 56, Springfield
Pamela Grace Smith, 56, of Springfield, was called to her eternal rest on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025. She was born on July 2, 1969, in Vandalia, the daughter of Merrill and Grace (Moore) Thull. Pamela married Kristopher D. Smith on Sept. 2, 2006. Pamela graduated from Vandalia High School in 1987, received her bachelor’s degree…
Read MoreRandal Gregory “Greg” Bigelow, 64, Escondido, CA,
Randal Gregory “Greg” Bigelow, 64, of Escondido, CA, passed away on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025 at his residence. Per the family’s wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. There will be no services held at this time. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to a veteran’s organization of their choice. Online condolences…
Read MoreShirley Ann (King) Fravell Ehrat, 93, Staunton
Shirley Ann (King) Fravell Ehrat, age 93 of Staunton, IL, formerly of Vandalia, passed away Thursday, Jan. 1, at Community Hospital in Staunton, IL. She was born Feb. 29, 1932 in Edwardsville, IL, the daughter of Arthur D. King & Capitola (Row) King. She married James E. Fravell on October 20, 1951. He passed away…
Read MoreCarl Thomas Bolyard, 70, Ramsey
Carl Thomas Bolyard, age 70, of Ramsey, IL, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 30, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Carl was born July 28, 1955 in Ramsey, IL the son of John Leroy Bolyard Sr. and Virginia Alice (Pritchett) Bolyard. He married Patricia Ann Graeser on February 14, 1984 in Bayle City, IL.…
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