Zoe Conley, Kallie Peck,and Lauren Brock spend some time with Snickers, a collie-shepherd mix that was part of a petting zoo at this past Saturday's Harvest Moon Festival in downtown Trenton. Look inside this week's Sun for more pictures from the Harvest Moon Festival.

When Gary, Pam, Jay, and Jami Staser opened their new Red Deuce Restaurant this past August in Germantown, they replaced one institution with another one.

The Red Deuce sits on the same spot where the old Star-Light (sp) Restaurant operated for nearly 50 years, and the original structure was used as the centerpiece for the new eatery.

And anyone with even a passing knowledge of baseball knows that The "Red Deuce" is an homage to Germantown's most famous native, baseball hall of famer Albert 'Red' Schoendienst, who wore the number 2 during his illustrious major league playing and managing career.

Even though the basic structure of the Star-Light remains, very few would recognize it. The front dining room of The Red Deuce sparks vague memories of the basic size and shape of the old place, but a 4,000 square foot, rustic bar and dance hall has been added to the back, and the seating capacity of the restaurant has been nearly doubled by utilizing what used to be storage space.

The restaurant itself is filled with baseball--and specifically Cardinal baseball--memorabilia, all from Gary Staser's personal collection. The centerpiece collectibles are a set of limited edition jerseys featuring all the living Cardinal Hall of Famers. Schoendienst and the rest of the old Cardinals created the jerseys especially for The Red Deuce, and the restaurant received the number two production of each. Schoendienst made two of the jerseys because he wore the number two, and gave the restaurant the second. Ozzie Smith, who wore the number one, also made two. Each of the other Hall of Famers produced a quantity of jerseys corresponding to their uniform number, and gave the second production to the Red Deuce.

Schoendienst donated several other items to the restaurant as well, and Gary Staser was pleased that the Cardinal legend was honored by The Red Deuce's tribute.

"When we decided to buy the restaurant and name it The Red Deuce, I wanted to meet Red personally and tell him about it," said Staser. "The last thing I wanted was for him to be upset. So I went to an autograph signing and he couldn't have been more helpful and honored. You can't imagine how helpful he was."

The Stasers--Gary and Pam, their son Jay and his wife Jami--are veterans in the restaurant business. Another son is in the restaurant equipment supply business in Tennessee.

Gary Staser was a dog handler for show dogs for about 30 years. When a knee injury curtailed that career, he and Pam decided to get into the restaurant business. "We started in the pizza business," Staser said. "This is the ninth restaurant we've opened."

The last three of those have been in Clinton County. In addition to the Red Deuce, the Stasers also operate P.J.'s Diner in Breese and Cruiser's in Carlyle.

Gary Staser is originally from Salem and spent time in Centralia as a young man, but has always had a connection to Clinton County. "The first time I ever got drunk was at the Knotty Pine in Breese, and the first time I ever got my butt beat was at the Knotty Pine," Staser laughed. It's another factor that gives the Stasers faith in operating their businesses here. "When I was growing up and going to sports events and a school like Mater Dei or another Clinton County team came to town, there'd be more of their fans than home fans," Staser said. "They always supported their people."

"We really got excited about this opportunity because it was a chance for us to own the buildings," Staser said. "It's the most upscale restaurant we've opened yet."

The original plan for the Red Deuce was as another diner, but fate intervened. "We had always planned to add on, but at first we planned to have a diner in front and use the back as a banquet center and bar," Staser said.

Last summer's tornadic storms flattened the construction of the banquet center, and Jay Staser suggested altering the identity of the new restaurant. "After that, Jay said 'let's do something a little nicer' and he really is responsible for a lot of the renovations," said Gary Staser. Jay did most of the woodwork for the renovation, including bars in both the main restaurant and the back bar.

The bar is a centerpiece in the restaurant, and its blonde wood and glass block construction sets the design theme. The menu features a variety of food, but the stars are the steaks and seafood choices. Friday and Saturay night specials are offered, and affordability is a major goal, according to Staser.

"In a lot of ways, we want to offer local people a chance to save a forty-mile round trip to Fairview Heights to eat a steak that has been vacuum-sealed for months," Staser said. "We want to have the best steak you can get for fifty miles around. Our meat is fresh, and a chef cooks it for you."

That chef is Jock Farachi, whose resume includes ten years at Scott Air Force Base, plus a resurrection of what was then a struggling Mike Shannon's Restaurant, a two-year stint at 94th Aero Squadron in St. Louis, and time at the Mayfair Wyndham Hotel.

Farachi said he enjoys shifting back to cooking food a la carte rather than mass producing meals for large events. "Here, I can concentrate on the food," Farachi said. "In the hotel business, it's just endless meetings and internal politics, and I like to cook. The chef becomes a scapegoat and the quality of the food is up and down. Here, I can concentrate on making sure our customers get good food consistently." Farachi hand-cuts the restaurant's steaks daily. The Red Deuce offers dinner service only.

After a two-year remodeling and addition that started in April of 2005, the Stasers opened the Red Deuce's bar in March of this year.

The bar has a rustic feel, and is constructed in a roadhouse style, with lots of windows and lots of seating. Bands perform every Friday and Saturday night, and there is karaoke on Sundays. One-man bands are also brought in occasionally. The local band Nudge appears once a month at The Red Deuce, and Cold Shot, which features mostly eighties music, is appealing to a broad demographic of customers, according to Jami Staser.

Jim Thompson, the "snake guy," has been keeping snakes and different creatures since he was just six years old.

On Friday, he passed some of his own interest on to Wesclin High School students, when he visited biology teacher Steve Carter's classrooms throughout the day.

It has been an annual ritual at Wesclin for 11 years now, but Thompson has been at it even longer than that. He's been traveling across the country talking to students for the past 35 years. Only in the last decade has he begun to restrict his travels to this area.

Thompson now visits schools in Carlyle, Breese, Belleville, Centralia, Carbondale, and other local communities.

Thompson has special praise for Wesclin students and the passion instilled in them by their teacher, Mr. Carter. "I am always amazed by this group of kids; this school is by far my favorite to visit. The students here always have so many intelligent questions to ask, and the knowledge that they have about the animals before I even come is impressive."

Thompson, a herpetologist, keeps anywhere from 500 to 2,000 animals living in his house at any given time, depending on the status of his breeding efforts. While Thompson occasionally sells the animals he raises, he doesn't reap much profit, just enough to care for his menagerie.

Carting all those animals around, giving speeches to high school kids, and maintaining his residential zoo is a lot of work, but Thompson does it all for no charge.

His reward is in stoking his passion and helping others understand why he loves doing it.

"Education is the key to the world," said Thompson. "Why should I receive money for educating the future of our country."

The resurfacing of old Highway 50 through downtown Trenton has been pushed back to next year, after the Illinois Department of Transportation refused to delay the completion date on the project and the contractor, Kilian Construction of Mascoutah, declined to sign the contract.

According to Trenton mayor Bob Koentz, a potential conflict of interest was uncovered, delaying the project initially. Once that issue was resolved and determined not to be a conflict, the project's start date had been delayed, and when the state refused to modify the scheduled completion date, Kilian opted out of the contract. It now appears that the work won't begin until at least the fall of next year.

Other matters up for discussion at Monday night's Trenton council work session:

- The park board has requested the city upgrade the restrooms at the main grandstand at Trenton Park, and council members and mayor Koentz expressed general agreement on funding the project, pending the park board's presentation of firm cost estimates. Several appliances in the rest-rooms leak, including the trough-style urinal and sink. Trenton maintenance superintendent Mike Jones said they city may have a couple of urinals that could replace the trough.

- State representative Ron Stephens, whose district includes Trenton, has asked the city for a list of capital projects for which they need funding. Mayor Koentz said he will forward a list similar to the one the city provided to State Senator Frank Watson, including city-wide storm sewer upgrades, and repairs to Harrison Street in the Northland Acres subdivision.

- The zoning board of appeals rejected a city request to amend Trenton's code to establish specifications for fences required around residential pools. "They thought it was too vague," said Koentz. The city will redraft the proposal.

- Committee on Aging chairman Margaret Conley reported that Linda Mueller has tendered her resignation at the Western Clinton County senior meal site. She will be replaced by current employee Denise Schilli until supervisor Betty Bray returns from medical leave.

Conley also reported that a Broadway businessperson had asked about the city's future plans to extend the sidewalk on the north side of the street. There are a couple of old coal chutes on downtown streets that should be filled in, Conley said. Koentz said any future sidewalk work downtown won't take place until next year.

- The reconfiguration of Third and Ash Streets near Trenton Park to eliminate a peculiar curve and add a stop sign won't take place until the spring, according to street superintendent Mike Jones, who suggested the project be included in next spring's street program.

- Dave and Sue Quitmeyer attended the meeting on behalf of the Harvest Moon Festival. "We just wanted to make sure everyone was satisfied with the clean-up after Harvest Moon, and find out if there's anything we could have done differently," said Sue Quitmeyer.

"I think everyone was happy with the way things went," said Koentz. "I'm certainly not going to open my mouth again."

Quitmeyer thanked the city and the city workers for their help in hauling tables and other items downtown.

- Fourth Street resident Joe Moss asked the council about their plans to install a sidewalk on Broadway west of Route 160. A new developmental home has opened next to A.B.J. Ford on the west end of town, and wheelchair-bound residents of the home make frequent trips up and down the highway.

The city is working on a plan to install the sidewalk, according to Mayor Koentz, but will probably have to seek the state's permission to pour the sidewalk on its right-of-way.

Moss also asked about the status of an earlier request to finish the alley behind his home to allow for rear property access for residents on the north side of East Fourth Street.

Police chief Mike Jones said there was some question as to whether the alley was a public or private one. Koentz said the city will look into the matter.

- Koentz and maintenance superintendent Mike Jones planned to take off Tuesday morning for Wentzville, Missouri, where they will shop for a new (used) bucket truck for the city. The council gave the two authority to purchase a truck for up to $20,000, the maximum municipal purchase allowed without triggering a requirement for sealed bids.

The city's current bucket truck is no longer safe, according to Koentz. "The old truck is out of service," Koentz said. The old truck was purchased for $1,000 over 15 years ago from Breese.

The bucket truck is used for putting up and down Christmas decorations, replacing park light bulbs, hanging banners, and assorted other jobs. Council member Margaret Conley suggested the city might consider renting a lift device as needed, but Koentz said that isn't feasible. "Renting's not good when you need it," Koentz said. "You've got to run one down and it might take a couple of days to get it."

- Mayor Koentz said the city is in the process of hiring a building inspector to assess the Trenton VFW building, which the city is considering purchasing from the organization.

- Koentz read a resignation letter from Deb Arentsen from Trenton's park board. Her resignation will take effect after the group's December meeting.

Saturday's Harvest Moon Festival has been judged a success by event organizers, as a good crowd turned out and nearly all the vendors were pleased, according to Sue Quitmeyer, one of the coordinators.

"I was pleased with the way things went," said Quitmeyer, who noted that there were several competing events, including a couple of large weddings in the area and Saturday's Wesclin football game. "Despite that, we had a good, steady crowd throughout the day, and we had a beautiful day, weather-wise," Quitmeyer said.

A letter to the editor from Quitmeyer appears on this week's opinion page.

Jordan Henss was the first place winner, Wren and Piper Heiligenstein were second, and Natalia Trimble was third in the event's pumpkin-decorating contest.

Coloring contest winners, listed in order of finish, were as follows: Pre-Kindergarten: Cameron Schultz, Emily Ottensmeier, Joley Rye; Kindergarten: Lydia Gajewski, Natalia Trimble, Ava Ebersohl; First Grade: Gracie Reymond, Dustin Meier, Noah Marlar; Second Grade: Malorie Wellen, Ellie Wessel, Kyra Daiber; Third Grade: Ashley Trombley, Jessica Shaw, Abby Becherer.

Winners in the 1K run were: Pre-K, Marlena Nast; kindergarten, Jarrett Tebbe; first grade, Chance McIntyre; second grade, Drew Detmer; third grade, Seth Nast; fourth grade, Jonathan Taylor; seventh grade, Nathan Kunz; eighth grade, Travis Pendegraft.

Look inside this week's Sun for pictures from the festival.

The future of the Trenton swimming pool is in serious jeopardy, according to mayor Bob Koentz, and the city may have no alternative but to simply fill it in if engineers aren't able to come up with a new plan for renovations.

"It's not all doom and gloom until we talk to the engineers again," said Koentz, "but at this point it doesn't look real good."

The pool has been scheduled for a major renovation, but Koentz said on Monday that there are serious concerns about the project. The mayor said the new gutter system that was engineered for the pool will not work due to the construction methods originally used during its construction, and engineers and contractors are equally concerned about the stability of the pool walls.

Koentz said if the pool had concrete walls behind its stainless steel interior, the proposed renovations would not be a problem, but the steel interior walls are backed only by dirt and sand. Additionally, the buttresses embedded in the earth to provide stability have eroded so much that the stability of the walls is compromised. "There's concern about those walls buckling. The pool company we talked to said they're afraid the bottom of the walls might push out, and once they kick out, it's all over," Koentz said, who said the only option at that point will be to fill in the pool.

"I know it's not a happy thought, but unless someone's got two and a half million lying around, we may not have any other choice," he said, adding that the $2.5 million estimate for a new pool is about two years old and could well be more expensive now.

"I've got a real problem with whatever we paid for engineering," said council member Randy Reibold, "because it seems like everything's gone to hell on the this grant. The tennis court came in over estimate, and now the pool renovation's going to hell." Total engineering fees on the roughly $500,000 park project will be about $65,000, according to city clerk Carol Gajewski.

The project includes a new tennis court which is currently under construction at a cost of about $125,000, and the pool renovations.

A private, anonymous donor has agreed to provide up to $50,000 for the tennis court project, and a grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will provide another nearly $50,000, leaving the city on the hook for the remaining $25,000. IDNR's grant will also provide half of the original estimate for pool repairs and the private Trenton Pool Foundation has made some contributions to the project, which will only be a short-term solution even if carried through to completion.

Trenton Pool Foundation officials Dave and Sue Quitmeyer attended Monday night's meeting, and expressed disappointment at the possibility of losing the pool altogether. "You're going to have a lot of disappointed kids, and a lot of disappointed swim and dive team members," said Sue Quitmeyer.

Koentz said he expects to speak with project engineer Doug Ratermann of HMG Engineers, Carlyle, later this week about the project.

- 1907 -

Born to Ed Hausmann and wife a girl Wednesday.

Hard work by a bucket brigade prevented the fire at the Presbyterian parsonage from becoming a disaster.

The Clinton County Farmers Institute will meet at Breese and hear speeches in English, German and Low German.

Left hand social given by the Epworthians at the M.E. Church on Halloween night.

- 1917 -

On account of the shortage of coal at the power house, there was no daily service several days at the beginning of the week.

Next Wednesday evening is Halloween. See that your gates and outbuildings are secured if you do not wish to hunt them up the next day.

The citizens were shocked Thursday afternoon when word spread that Emil Hanselmann, the well known blacksmith was dead.

Quite a number of pupils at the public school have been absent since the last report. Some of these absences are not necessary.

- 1927 -

Dr. Philip Trippel died at his home on Oct. 14 at the age of 71.

John C. Wolfe, who has been a miller at the Trenton Mill for 33 years, has resigned and will be succeeded by Mr. Phillips.

Mrs. Geo. McDonald died at the home of her daughter in Buffalo, Kan. on Oct. 8 at the age of 67.

Right now is the worst season for typhoid with over 1000 cases already reported in Illinois.

- 1937 -

Herman Drees died suddenly Saturday while waiting his turn for a load of coal at the Breese mine.

Miss Marie Tragesser and Charles Ganey were married Thursday morning in St. Patrick Church, East St. Louis.

Mrs. Leo Seger, formerly of this city, died Monday after a lengthy illness.

T.C. Schnyder and Miss Lucille Miller of East St. Louis were married in St. Louis on Oct. 20.

- 1947 -

Rev. Philip Bassler, 66, formerly of New Baden, died Oct. 15 in Chicago.

Sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Orville Wolfersberger and Mr. and Mrs. Russell Jester.

Jacob Metzger, 78, died at his home in Trenton Tuesday morning.

Carl Ginzel, native of Trenton died Oct. 10 in Wichita.

Miss Dorothy Henken and Robert Markus of Aviston were married in St. Paul's Church, Highland, on Wednesday.

Mrs. Mary Schumacher, 78, died Sunday at her home in Highland.

- 1957 -

Edwin Guttersohn, 64, died at the Highland Hospital Thursday.

Daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Huelsmann, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Lemmons and Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Ritzheimer.

Mrs. Bernice Cunningham was installed as the new president of the Trenton Woman's Club.

Miss Rosemary Zimmermann and Ralph Mueller were married in St. George Church, New Baden, on Oct. 15.

Joe Schumacher was the only person in Clinton County to receive a Certificate of Appreciation by the Crop Reporting Service. He had been a volunteer crop reporter for 30 years.

A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Von Hatten of Aviston on Oct. 7.

- 1967 -

The Trenton Medical Building drive has reached $13,300 plus $6,400 in pledges toward the goal of $40,000.

Frank Frueke, 86, of R.R. 2, Trenton, died Sunday. He was a retired farmer and a native of Aviston.

Joan Caudell of Trenton, senior elementary education major of Eastern Illinois University, is president of the Baptist Student Union.

Roger Westphal, son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Westphal, sustained serious head and chest injuries Sunday morning when his car struck a culvert between Trenton and Summerfield.

The Aviston Chamber of Commerce is offering a reward of $25 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of persons damaging property of others.

Bill Alexander, Robert Clark, Patrick Ethridge, David Fischer, Thomas Haselhorst, Bryan Marsh and Roger Surette are enrolled at Kaskaskia College.

- 1977 -

Adolph Heuberger, a retired Trenton farmer, died Oct. 13 at the age of 99.

October 31 is the official Trick or Treat Night in Trenton between 6 and 9 p.m. for children up to 12 years of age.

Gregory Heet, formerly of Trenton, died Oct. 14 at his home in Mascoutah.

Wesclin finished sixth in the Army Corps of Engineers ECO meet at Lake Shelbyville.

Bishop John Wurm, confirmed 36 boys and 38 girls in St. Mary Church on Oct. 15.

- 1987 -

Miss Diane Marie Spihlman became the bride of Victor Dean Mitts on Saturday, September 12 at a 1:20 p.m. ceremony at St. Mary Church, Trenton.

Kelly Crocken, daughter of Vonnie and Ned Crocken of Trenton, received a musical talent scholarship from SIUE where the Mater Dei graduate is one of 45 members chosen by audition to sing in the concert chorale directed by Leonard Van Camp.

The Sugar Creek 4-H Country Kids received the honor of being named Outstanding 4-H club for 1987 by the Clinton County 4-H program.

Lois Clark, 14-year leader of the Trenton Sew and So's, was named Clinton County's 4-H leader of the Year by the county 4-H program.

The marriage of Miss Jean Markus and Steven E. Schulte was solemnized Saturday, October 19 at 2 p.m. in St. Francis Church, Aviston, with Father Herbert Kopff officiating.

Larry and Jane Litteken of rural Trenton are proud to announce the arrival of their first child, Justin Lawrence, on Oct. 13. Justin was born at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Belleville.

Clay and Laurie (Luber) Wiedner of Belleville are happy to announce the birth of their first child, Michael Robert. He was born Sept. 26 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Belleville.

- 1997 -

A worker from Rakers Electric in Aviston ran cable for the new light standards recently installed at Trenton Communtity Park. The $63,000 project is expected to be complete in a couple of weeks.

Pat Callahan crafted a bust of Fr. Jerome Feldman for sale at the recent Mater Dei High School fundraising auction.

Wesclin Marching Band places second at the O'Fallon Marching Band Competition.

Sarah R. Milligan, 74, of Trenton, died Monday, October 22, 2007 at Countryside Manor in Aviston. She was born May 19, 1933 in Benton, daughter of George and Ruth, nee Browning, Reeder, and they both preceded her in death. She married John "Jack" Milligan Jr. September 5, 1953 in Moline, and he survives in Trenton. Also surviving are a son, James (Susan) Milligan of O'Fallon, Missouri; two daughters, Lisa Schone of St. Louis, and Georgia Smith of Auckland, New Zealand; six grandchildren, Christine, Ruth, and Sara Schone, John and Jasmine Cooper, and James Smith; and nine great grandchildren, DeAnna and Raymond Schone, Antwene and Alexis Barnes, Kamiko, Daryn, and Madison Jackson, and Jamari and Jazmia Brandon. Mrs. Milligan had owned and operated the Lafayette House Bed and Breakfast in St. Louis. She was a member of St. John United Church of Christ in Trenton, it's women's guild and J.O.Y. Society, and was a founding member of the Association of Bed and Breakfast of Missouri. The funeral was this morning (Wednesday) from St. John United Church of Christ in Trenton, the Rev. Mark Buck officiating. Interment Trenton Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. John United Church of Christ, or Highland Animal Shelter, and will be accepted through Moss Funeral Home in Trenton.

Condolences to mossfuneralhome.com

Mary Ann Wolters, 46, of DuQuoin, died Sunday, October 21, 2007 at her home. She was born November 11, 1960 in East St. Louis, daughter of Frank and Verneida, nee Essenpreis, Wolters, Jr., and they both preceded her in death. Surviving are a brother, Matthew (Denise) Wolters of New Baden; two sisters, Christine (Charles) Bauer of Aviston, and Vicki (Mark) Mohr of Pinckneyville; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and special friends. The funeral was this morning (Wednesday) from St. Francis Catholic Church in Aviston. Interment St. Francis Cemetery. Memorials to the donor’s choice will be accepted through Hempen Funeral Home in Aviston.

Condolences to hempenfuneralhome.com

Maurice G. Rakers, 68, of Highland, died Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at his home. He was born in Aviston March 30, 1939, son of Frank and Bertha, nee Huelsmann, Rakers, and they both preceded him in death. A brother, Marcel, also preceded him, along with nephews Eugene and Donnie Rakers, parents-in-law Barney and Edith Dickirson, and brothers-in-law Donald Mueller, Robert Gerstner, and Jim Hollenkamp. He married Susan (Dickirson) Hager September 20, 1982, and she survives in Highland. Also surviving are three daughters, Diane (Peter Coppens) Rakers of Highland, Donna (Brent) Wood of Lebanon, and Denise (William) Foppe of Breese; a stepson, Marc (Darlene) Hager of Port Charlotte, Florida; seven grandchildren, Blake and Jenna Wood of Lebanon, Emily, Nicholas, Lucas, and Katherine Foppe of Breese, and Michelle Hager of Breese; six brothers, Albert (Sylvia) Rakers of Trenton; Jerry (Dolly) Rakers of O'Fallon, Carl (Joan) Rakers of Jamestown; Robert (Jane) Rakers of Carlyle, Dennis Rakers of Carlyle, and Virgil (Beverly) Rakers of Bowling Green, Kentucky; four sisters, Jean Mueller and Ruth Gerstner, both of Trenton; Betty (Leonard) Voss of Beaver Prairie, and Mary (Larry) Howell of Mt. Vernon; brothers-in-law Gary (Laurel) Dickirson of Springfield and Stan (friend Van) Dickirson of Springfield; a sister-in-law, Janet (Mike) Appleget of Bloomington, Indiana; and 53 nieces and nephews he enjoyed spending time with. Mr. Rakers worked for many years as a mechanic at Lombardo's Service Station. He was also a veterinarian assistant in the Lebanon area. Before retiring, he trained and owned harness horses. He also trained his horses at the Bond County Fairgrounds and raced at Balmoral and Fairmont Parks. He enjoyed participating at the area county fair harness races. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in Guam for three years. Services were Friday from First Baptist Church in Highland, Tom Davis officiating.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois. merdithfuneralhome.com

Arnold J. Gebke, 88, of Bartelso, died Monday, October 22, 2007 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Breese. He was born June 2, 1919 in Bartelso, son of John and Theresa, nee Beuligmann, Gebke, and they both preceded him in death. His stepmother, Mary, nee Mueller, Gebke, also preceded him. He married Irene Kapp October 19, 1948 at St. Dominic Church in Breese, and she died March 24, 2007. Siblings, children, grandchildren, other relatives and friends survive. Interment St. Cecilia Cemetery, Bartelso.

For full obituary and condolences, mossfuneralhome.com

Devon Virgil Trejo Huelsmann, infant son of Natasha Benitez and Scott Huelsmann of Breese, was born and died Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese. Surviving are his parents; maternal grandmother Norma Johnson of Carlyle; maternal grandfather Timothy Randolph of Carlyle; paternal grandmother Mary Huelsmann of Breese; maternal great grandfather Thurman Randolph of Dupo; paternal great grandmother Cecilia Trame of Trenton; five brothers, Cody Huelsmann, Dylan Stahl, Michael Huelsmann, Derek Benitez, and Dale Huelsmann; a sister, Mariah Benitez; aunts, uncles, and cousins. Interment was Friday at St. Dominic-St. Augustine Cemetery, Breese.

Condolences to mossfuneralhome.com