Wapella.com Mourns the Passing of Jayne Brunskill

Jayne L. Brunskill, 95, a resident of Piper City Rehab & Living Center in Piper City, formerly of Pontiac, passed away at 2:40a.m. Tuesday (Jan. 4, 2011) at the home.

A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Pontiac, with Monsignor Thomas Mack officiating. Interment will be at Esmen-Camp Cemetery, rural Pontiac, with her son, the Rev. Richard Brunskill officiating. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday prior to Mass at the church, where in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name for Masses, or to the Jayne L. Brunskill Memorial Fund. Martin Funeral Home, Chatsworth, is in charge of arrangements.

Jayne Laverne Tallman Brunskill was born Sept. 1, 1915, in Pontiac, a daughter of Albert and Florence Solma Tallman. She married Byron Brunskill in February 1936. He preceded her in death March 3, 1977.

She is survived by one daughter, Barbara Brunskill, Piper City; two sons, Craig (Maria) Brunskill, Normal, and the Rev. Richard Brunskill, Piper City; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one sister, Vernette; one brother, Richard; nieces and nephews; and many good friends. Fr. Dick Brunskill, was pastor at St. Patrick's Parish in Wapella, Illinois in the late 1980's.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother and one sister.

After raising her three children, Jayne pursued a career as a phlebotomist for nearly 20 years, before becoming a licensed practical nurse in 1978.

She worked at St. James Hospital, Asta Care, Piper City Nursing Home and two places in Fairbury, Fairview Haven Nursing Home and the offices of Drs. Langstaff and Mosciski. She retired from the nursing profession in 1995.

She was a woman of great faith, helping to start the Perpetual Adoration Society at St. Mary’s Church, and working tirelessly at Grace Episcopal Church for many years before she became Catholic — along with Bryon and Richard — in 1974. Jesus was the center of her life and faith.

Our condolences the the Brunskill family.

Wapella.com Mourns the Passing of Carmen Mearida

Constance Carmen Mearida, 90, Wapella, died at 5:48 a.m. Monday (Jan. 3, 2011) at Manor Court, Clinton.

There will be private family services, with J. Kent Hickerson officiating. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Waynesville. There will be no visitation. Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Manor Court, Clinton.

She was born July 11, 1920, in Waynesville Township, DeWitt County, to Carl B. and Anna M. Ruble Halsey. She married Charles Everett “Peanut” Mearida on Aug. 5, 1938, at St. Charles, Mo. He passed away March 14, 1996.

Surviving are two daughters, Sharolyn Fryman and Julia “Judy” Finger, both of Wapella; one brother, Thomas Halsey, Normal; one sister, Melva Neaville, Mount Pulaski; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and one sister.

She was a member of Wapella Christian Church. Carmen Mearida was regarded as a fine neighbor, pleasant person, and a great member of the Wapella Community.

Even More Historic Churches of Wapella: Presbyterians and the Opera House

Here are two good shots of the Opera House, which was formerly the Presbyterian Church.

A bit on the Presbyterian Church from the Centennial booklet

The Presbyterian Church of Wapella was organized May

26, 1868. Some of the first charter members were John and

Jane Potter, Homer, Mary and Martha Buck, Thomas, George

and Lucinda, Hugh and Emehne Watson, EH and Zavilda Cant-

rall, Joshua Hull, Nancy Hickle, Susanna Certwill, S. A. and

Mary Longbrake, James Ellis, Ray Nelson, Mary Abbott, and

Marcuda Hull. The building and lot cost about $4,000, and

$7,000 was the amount paid for the pastor's salary and for

other church purposes. The following ministers served as pas-

tors: Samuel Stevenson, A. L. Knox, W. L. Rabbe, and W. W.

Farris.

A Sabbath School was organized in the fall of 1871 and

continued for about five years, but the members becoming few

in number and living in the country, it was disbanded and united

with other schools. The church was abandoned about 1876

and bought by Mr. Spafford and used for an opera house; then

in turn was owned by A. A. Alexander, Frank Cunningham,

and W. A. Graham. It was located on the lot across the street

from the Kenneth Duncan residence, but was moved to its pres-

ent location in 1908 by W. A. Graham, who now uses it for a

garage. The Rev. Samuel Stephenson was the pastor that held

the last church services in the Presbyterian Church.

One is in it's original location and the other is on main street after it was Graham's Garage. Note that the building resembles a church, has church windows and the base of a steeple or bell tower. The latter shot was taken shortly after the new firehouse was built.

Hat Tip, as always to Wapella's ace of photographers, George Spray.

Happy New Year from Don's World of Beef!

It's only natural that Wapella.com would become one of the leading repositories for arcania and memorabilia concerning Don's World of Beef, as we have been noted as the 7th most active curator of DWOB information on the internet today by informed sources. Actually we the only people even mildly concerned with Don's World of Beef, but who is counting?

So when a thoughtful reader sent us a shot of a Don's World of Beef Mug, well of course it is the 1st post of the New Year.

A logo featuring a Steer, impaled by a two pennant flag declaring "Don's" and"World of Beef" is what brought the customers into the popular restaurant, but first-class service and hosting by some of Wapella's finest is what kept them coming back for more.

And the slogan "Where it's Love at First Bite" didn't hurt anything either, along with the floating dentures. Come to think of it the floating dentures might have driven more customers away than it brought in.

Thanks to Missouri reader Chris in Missouri for sharing the shot of the mug, or the mugshot if you will. Keep 'em coming and we will continue to be the leader in Don's World of Beef History.

Two Good Shots of Wapella Church History

At the suggestion of George Spray, Wapella's Ace of Photographers, Wapella.com has obtained two historic postcards of Wapella Churches.

Here's St. Patrick's (Sans Steeple..may make a good Roman Church..St. Pat's Sans Campanile!) and the Wapella Chirstian Church from approximately the same era.

I am not sure what happened to the Wapella Christian Church pictured, but it looks like a well made building. Nor am I sure what years these are from. There is parking for your horse at the Catholic Church, which suggests this is pre-automobile.

These are from the CU Williams Company in Bloomington, under the title Genuine Photo, which indeed they are.

Merry Christmas and it would be great to hear any details about these structures that have been so important to the Village of Wapella and the Wildcat community.

Wapella.com Mourns the Passing of Francis Carstens

Francis E. “Frank” Carstens, 75, Raymond, died at 1:22 p.m. Thursday (Dec. 9, 2010) at St. John’s Medical Center, Springfield.

Rosary services will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, with the Rev. Father Peter Pilon officiating. Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Wapella, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

He was born Aug. 20, 1935, at Heyworth, to Henry and Nora Toohill Carstens. He married Ruby M. Dodson Reum on Sept. 30, 1990, at Hutchinson, Kan.

Surviving are wife, Ruby M. Carstens, Raymond; one daughter, Barbara (Eddie) Giefer, Cheney, Kan.; three grandchildren, Renae Giefer, Denver, Colo.; Rachel (Randy) Dick, Wichita, Kan.; and Rhonda (Ryan) Curtiss, Benton, Kan.; two great-grandchildren, Braydon and Briley Curtiss, Benton, Kan.; one brother, John (Phyllis) Carstens, Bloomington; and one sister, Genevieve (Martin) Metz.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Wapella, and was a U.S. Army mechanic veteran.

He was employed at G.E. for 36 years. He also farmed.

He was a loving and caring husband, dad and grandpa; also a fine cousin and friend to many in Wapella. An extended member of the Wapella community, Francis continued to participate in Wapella village and parish events long after moving away from Wapella. He will be missed by all his family and friends.

All flags half mast please for US Army Veteran Francis Carstens.

DeWitt County Stretches Political Reach

Congratulations to Sen. Mark Kirk on choosing one of DeWitt County's finest to Chair the Agriculture Advisory Board. Washington welcomes, Terry Ferguson of Clinton, a past president and current board member of the DeWitt County Farm Bureau, and a friend and neighbor to many in Wapella. A DeWitt County Board member and Harp Township highway commissioner, Ferguson is well known for bringing attention to the needs of farmers in central Illinois.

Also from the DeWitt County Board, Wapella's own David Taylor was elected to a leadership position. In a historic vote, David Taylor was elected 8 to 1 as Vice Chair of the DeWitt County Board. Taylor notes he's glad to have the confidence of the other board members, and says he's looking forward to moving DeWitt County forward. Taylor, you may remember is only vaguely connected to Taylorville Illinois, his family being from Wapella and Waynesville.

Congrats to the Board on their decision of much wisdom and foresight. DeWitt Clinton would be proud to see such a responsible crew.

Still A Happy Day to remember Sammy Davis Jr.

Sammy Davis Jr. would be 85 years old today, if he were still with us. Happy Birthday SDJ, one of the great artists of the 20th century.

Here's Sammy doing his signature piece, Candyman.

The Raw Feed: Stories in Development for Wapella.com

In response to the observation that Wapella.com is becoming increasingly irrelevant and untimely, we have reached new depths in lameness with the following stories, all with a tenuous connection to Wapella and to factualness in general.

* Zabriske Pointe by Michael Antonioni maybe the only film about a previous name of the Village of Wapella directed by an Oscar Winner. The movie looks like a period piece from 1970 and features a soundtrack from Pink Floyd, incidentally also the only soundtrack that Floyd did in homage to a previous name of the Village of Wapella.

* The Mattoon Mafia is one short after Brad Childress got the boot from the Vikings. Childress, EIU '78 was one of three Eastern Illinois University alums who are head coaches in the NFL, along with the Saints Sean Payton and Redskins Mike Shanahan.

* One of the few Sherlock Holmes stories set in Clinton, Illinois featured a mad medical group (pre-Myers and Veirs) terrorizing the Clinton Square titled the Surgeons of Spurgeons.

* Wapella is a whale of a place to get a Christmas tree. Here are two of the leading agri-merchants in Wapella marking their X in X-Mas, and one that is not doing so well.

DEWITT COUNTY
Don's Tree Farm, Wapella, 935-6367, Don Filkin owner, U.S. 51 2 miles north of Wapella to Carl Springs Road, turn west and drive ¾ mile; open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 21; tours available weekdays; trees 3 to 8 feet; Scotch, Austrian and white pine and Fraser fir; $19.99 to $34.99; shaken and netted, no charge; $19.99 for stand system, drilling free; customer cuts, assistance available; wreaths, grave decorations, swags, crafts, gift shop. Free cider and animal crackers.
Christmas Trees at Hedrick Farms, Wapella, 935-3400; U.S. 51 north to Waynesville blacktop turn left, 4½ miles to Farmers Road, turn right, 1½ miles at T-road turn right; noon to dark Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to dark Saturday, noon to dark Sunday through Dec. 24; white and Scotch pine, balsam $30-$45, Douglas fir, up to 10 feet, $25; call ahead on wreaths.

Cut Your Own Cut Rate Christmas Tree Farm, Wilson Township, Wapella If you were here, you would already know where the place was at. Low prices, crummy trees, and questionable property rights are a big draw in the Holiday season for Cut-Your-Own. Many of the trees are not fit for indoor use and are generally regarded as brush. Unstaffed

* Ron Santo (1940-2010) was a likable guy. He had a restaurant in Libertyville that wasn't all that good. I don't think he paid much attention to it, just licensed his name out. Finger used to have a Ron Santo jersey that he claimed was owned by Santo. Oddly enou

gh Santo used to have a Jeff Finger jersey that he claimed was owned by Jeff. Hall of Fame or not, Santo was a fierce competitor and solid player, loved by fans and feared by the opposition. Jeff Finger is just feared by fans and tolerated, not particularly loved, by the opposition.

UPDATE

Ron Santo brings to mind a classic story from Wapella Great, Richard Cundiff. Richard was travelling with the Cubs in Montreal one time many years ago staying at the same hotel as the players. Many of the players went to a watering hole at the hotel for a private reception after a game one evening. Santo did not want to go, so offered his pass to the reception to our man Cundiff.

Cundiff sat up at the bar, with a badge on identifying him as Ron Santo. He was holding court with many players and reporters about the Cubs and baseball in general. One of the reporters said (something like) *So tell me Ronny, what do you think of Tim Foli?* Before Richard could reply, a player interrupted with "That's not Ron Santo, don't you recognize Jack Buck?"Richard's long term lookalike play-by-play man for the St. Louis Cardinals.

UPDATE 2 It's Pearl Harbor Day. Dr. Herman Meltzer, from Clinton survived the bombing of Pearl Harbor. You can buy Dr. Meltzer's book of poetry, Poems Written in Various Slap-Happy Moods here.

Rock and Roll Wrestling Returns to Wapella

Just when you thought Wapella was yawning a bit, the Pro-Wrestling Great Rock and Roll Buck ZumHofe is bringing his Rock and Roll Wrestling Circus back to town at The Irish, December 10, 2010 Tickets $8.00 in advance $12.00 at the door..

Here's Buck answering few questions:

Q: Greatest Wrestling Achievement

A: I guess being the Texas Tag-Team Champion, but even more being the AWA Light-Heavy Weight Champioin not once, not twice, but three times and then actually retiring with the belt.

Q: Favorite Opponent

A: The Weasel, I suppose.

Q: Favorite Tag-Team Partner

A: Teto Santana

Q: Best Wrestling Moment

A: Wrestling with Andre The Giant against Bobbie Heenan and Kent Patera in the St. Paul Civic Center; 35,000 people chanting Rock n Roll...BEBE!

Q: Worst Wrestling Moment

A: One time in the end of my match, I was going to do my handstand, went to fast and actually tippped out head over heals over the top rope and hurt myself.

Q: Advice to someone just getting started

A: If you want to really do this, it has to be in your heart or you will never ever make it.

Q: Wrestling Goals

A: Every night that we here at Rock n Roll Wrestling put on a show...it will be the best possible show, every show, every night.

**

Big question, Buck brings on a Midget Wrestling Competition as well. Would any of Wapella's finest get in the ring as sort of an Andre the Giant vs. Buck's team?