Belleville astronaut Sandy Magnus with residents at the Benedictine Living Community before her April 17 visit (Submitted). By David Wilhelm Messenger Editor Sr. Barb Biver remembers the time several years ago when an Elvis Presley impersonator came to entertain residents at the Benedictine Living Community at the Shrine of Our […]
Dominic Grzegorek, of Ashley, regularly prays at the grotto (right) for the Blessed Mother Mary that was built on his property by Nashville mason Dave Schuette. “It’s a way of honoring her and showing respect for her, and it turned out really good,” Grzegorek said (Submitted). By Linda Norris Messenger […]
Raphael H. “Rafe” Middeke, 92, of Trenton, formerly of Damiansville, died at 6:25 a.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Aviston Countryside Manor. He was born June 21, 1933, in rural Clinton County, a son of the late Bernard and Mary (nee Hellmann) Middeke. After attending St. Rose Elementary School, Rafe […]
A U.S. Army detachment from Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri carries the remains of World War II veteran Edgar William “Billy” Nevois to his final resting place at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Prairie du Rocher. At left, Illinois Patriot Guard Riders hold flags and salute Nevois, who died in […]
Denny Koesterer, a native of Freeburg who lives in Smithton, holds the Order of St. Sebastian Award that he received at the Catholic War Veterans National Convention in August. Koesterer was one of just three recipients (David Wilhelm photo). By David Wilhelm Messenger Editor Denny Koesterer didn’t understand what was […]
Cairo in Alexander County receives support from Breaking the Cycle (Kathleen Hunt photo). By Linda Norris Behrens Messenger Staff Alexander County is the southernmost county in Illinois. Pulaski County is adjacent to it. Both counties, located within the Diocese of Belleville, lead the list of the highest percentage of families […]
Bonnie Schmersahl (left) of St. Barbara in Okawville shares a story with (from left) Diane Winkeler, Jan Gonzalez and Karen Beckemeyer, all of St. Anthony in Beckemeyer, at the Belleville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Convention, held Oct. 8 at St. Joseph in Marion (David Wilhelm photos). The Belleville Diocesan […]
