SIU Director of Athletics Jerry Kill stepping down; Liz Jarnigan named AD
September 17, 2019 By Leave a Comment
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Director of Athletics Jerry Kill announced on Monday he is leaving his position at SIU to accept a job on the football coaching staff at Virginia Tech, effective immediately. Kill will serve as special assistant to fourth-year head coach Justin Fuente.
“The opportunity to serve as an administrator at SIU has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career, and it was a difficult decision to leave so many wonderful friends and colleagues at Southern Illinois,” Kill said. “There is an outstanding leadership team in place within Athletics and I’m confident they will continue to build upon the foundation we’ve laid, allowing me to return to my passion, which is coaching football. I’ve tried to get away from football, but I just can’t.”
A three-time national coach-of-the year, Kill is a beloved figure in southern Illinois, where he led the Saluki football program to five-consecutive NCAA playoff appearances from 2003 to 2007. In addition to his many coaching awards, Kill has a long list of civic honors, stemming from his public advocacy for worthy causes, such as the Coach Kill Cancer Fund that he started in southern Illinois while coaching at SIU, and the Epilepsy Chasing Dreams Fund he began while at Minnesota.
“We’re grateful to Jerry for taking on the leadership of Saluki athletics at a critical time, and we respect his decision to return to his passion,” said SIU Chancellor John M. Dunn. He has worked diligently on behalf of the university and the athletics program. In just over a year, he has hired seven head coaches, reorganized the program’s administrative structure and dedicated himself to fundraising efforts. Notably, he was an architect of the 20-year, $10 million agreement with Banterra Bank to rename the SIU Arena the Banterra Center. We are fortunate to have had his energy and enthusiasm focused on SIU and know he will continue to do great things moving forward.
After leaving SIU in 2007, Kill made coaching stops at Northern Illinois and Minnesota, then tried his hand at athletic administration, working as an assistant AD at Kansas State in 2016, before returning to the sidelines as an assistant coach at Rutgers for one year.
Kill returned to SIU in February of 2018 as a special assistant to the chancellor, and two months later took over as AD. During his 16 months on the job, Kill replaced seven of the department’s 11 head coaches. His list of coaching hires includes Bryan Mullins (Men’s Basketball), Grant Williams (Soccer), Rosalind Joseph (Track & Field), Ed Allen (Volleyball), Danielle Kaufman (Women’s Golf), Geoff Hanson (Swimming & Diving) and Lance Rhodes (Baseball).
Kill also restructured the department’s administration, hiring Liz Jarnigan as his Senior Woman Administrator, plus senior-level administrators Jeff Jones (operations), Jimmy Karayiannis (community outreach), Kate Hanson (development), Katie Gerlach (facilities), Hilary Wittenborn (academics) and David Rule (athletic training).
Chancellor John M. Dunn has appointed Liz Jarnigan to replace Kill as athletic director. Jarnigan joined the athletics staff in July 2018 as associate director of athletics, overseeing all aspects of the program’s internal operations.
Jarnigan came to SIU after serving for two years as senior women administrator for the Air Force Academy’s athletics program. Prior to that, she worked for eight years at San Jose State University, starting as the director for student-athlete success before being promoted to senior woman administrator. During her tenure at San Jose State, the department’s overall Academic Progress Rate (APR) rose from 925 to 972. The football team’s APR increased from 888 in 2008 to 975 in 2015. The overall student-athlete GPA reached an all-time high in 2016.
Jarnigan has also served as coordinator of student services and an associate athletic director for student services at the University of Tulsa. Her career in athletics administration began at Briar Cliff College, where she was an assistant athletic director and interim director of athletics. The 1987 graduate cum laude of St. Olaf College was a four-year letter-winner in volleyball. She received her master’s degree in athletic administration from Fort Hays State University in 1988.
At the time of Jarnigan’s hire to SIU, Kill said “this is the most important hire I’ve made in a long time.”
“She has the ability to solve complicated issues,” he added. “She’s much more qualified to be an athletic director than I am.”
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s budget reduction memo could be groundwork for graduated income tax push, analyst says
September 17, 2019 By Leave a Comment
A memo Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration reportedly sent to state agency directors last week asks for ideas to save 6.5 percent through efficiencies, elimination of boards and commissions and other ideas. But how to deal with the state’s major cost driver of pensions is absent.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
Illinois Supreme Court to decide challenge to state’s FOID card law
September 17, 2019 By Leave a Comment
The Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments in a case challenging the state’s Firearm Owner Identification card law that could affect a single person or the entire state.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
Mary Ann Page – Benton, IL
September 15, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Mary Ann Page, 82, of Benton passed away Saturday afternoon Sept. 14, 2019 in Mt. Vernon.
She was born in McLeansboro, IL on Dec. 28, 1936, the daughter of Arthur & Ruby (Craddock) Taylor.
She married Larry D. Page at the Nazarene Church in Benton on Aug. 10, 1957, and he preceded her in death on Dec. 27, 2015.
Mrs. Page was a 50 year plus member of the Whittington Church. She served as Head Cook at Benton Grade School for several years, and retired from that position.
Mrs. Page is survived by her children Julie and Bill Sentel of Macedonia, Scott and Lisa Page of Benton, Jill and Pat Sanders of Benton and Jennifer Page of Raleigh, NC; grandchildren Marcie and Adam Clark of Macedonia, Sarah and Donnie Millenbine of Dahlgren, Alison and Jason Woodrow of Springerton, Heather and Ryan Stock of Marion, Ashley Page of St. Charles, MO and Carston Sanders of Benton; great-grand-children
Calynn, Morgan and Camryn Clark, Mallorie and Trevor Millenbine, Grace, Annabell, Caroline, John and Elizabeth Woodrow, Connor Dutton and Henry Stock.
Mrs. Page was preceded in death by her parents, husband, by two brothers, Robert Lee “Bobby” Taylor and Arthur Dean “Arch” Taylor, and by two sisters, Ida Frances and Roberta Jean.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Mark Minor and the Rev. Greg Shelton officiating. Burial will be in the Elder S.M. Williams Cemetery-Ewing. Visitation will be after 10 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mrs. Page’s memory may be made to the Whittington Church or to SSM Hospice and will be accepted at the funeral home at any time.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
Phyllis J. Rivera – Winchester, KY
September 13, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Mrs. Phyllis Jeanette Rivera, age 80, of Winchester, KY and formerly of Franklin County, IL; passed away at 12:19 p.m. EST, Thursday, September 12, 2019 at the Clark Regional Medical Center of Winchester, KY.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, September 16, 2019 at the Leffler Funeral Home, with Rev. Phillip Kennedy officiating. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Phyllis was born on January 18, 1939 in Franklin County, IL, the daughter of Bernard Amend and Norma (Burnett) Amend.
Mrs. Rivera was a homemaker and was of the Baptist faith.
Phyllis enjoyed reading needle point, crocheting, working crossword puzzles, listening to country music, taking long walks in Benton with her mother, and especially enjoyed spending time with her family.
Mrs. Rivera is survived by her children: Norma Borne of Willows, CA, Cynthia Olique of Winchester, KY, Warren Olique of Winchester, KY, Vincent Olique and wife Doris of Winchester, KY; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two sisters Judy Cook and Janet Cook; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son Ralph Lee Rivera; a brother Roger Trusty and two grandchildren.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Phyllis, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com
Roy Orland Manasco-Marion formerly of Christopher
September 13, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Roy Orland Manasco, 70, of Marion formerly of Christopher passed away on September 12, 2019.
He was born on August 31, 1949 in Coello, IL to Melvin and Eva Jesse (Gandy) Manasco. He married Donna (Shaffer) Manasco on May 20, 2006 and she survives of Marion.
He is also survived by his children, several grandchildren, and one brother Lawrence Manasco of Chicago, IL.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers Thomas Manasco, James Manasco and Melvin “Pete” Manasco.
He was an Army Veteran serving during the Vietnam War.
Funeral services will be on Monday September 16, 2019 at 2:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Ralph Brandon officiating. Visitation will be on Monday from 12:00 PM until the time of the service at 2:00 PM. Burial will be at Zeigler Cemetery.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
Janet A. Loeh – Royalton, IL
September 11, 2019 By Leave a Comment
She’s Home! Janet A. Loeh, 79, of Royalton, passed away on September 10, 2019, at 5:50 p.m., surrounded by her loving family at her residence.
She was a faithful servant of the Lord, a wonderful mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend.
We don’t mourn like most, for we know she is with the “King of Kings” and “Lord of Lords”.
Janet was born on December 20, 1939, in Royalton, IL., to her parents, Noah Alonzo and Martha (Boyles) King, and they have preceded her in death.
She was also preceded in death by her son Robert Loeh.
Those to follow will be her three children, Vicki Restivo and husband Rocky, Jana Fann and husband Bryan, and Jody Loeh. Her niece, Darla Brewer and daughter Joli; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
We will not have a funeral service but will celebrate her life on Sunday, September 15, 2019, at 6:00 p.m., at the Royalton First Baptist Church, 709 West 3rd Street, Royalton, IL.
If you would like to honor her memory, please send donations to Agape High School, 5208 Meadowland Parkway, Suite A, Marion, IL. 62959, which was her mission to see children receive Christian education.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.
Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.
Mary Kretz – Christopher, IL
September 11, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Mary Kretz, 90, passed away Tuesday Sept 10 peacefully at Lavender Ridge in Mt. Vernon. She and her husband are together again.
Mary was born on April 11, 1929 in Valier, Illinois the daughter of John and Barbara (Bede) Chizmadia. She married Roy Peter Kretz on May 24, 1958 who preceded her in death on September 12, 2014.
Survivors include her children, Roy John Kretz of Mt. Vernon, Robert (Lisa) Kretz of Bluford, Catherine Kretz of Bloomington, and Cindy Kretz (Dave Stark) of Mulkeytown; grandchildren, Roy John Kretz Jr., Shannon Kretz, Kali Boaz, Charles Boaz and Todd Boaz; and 2 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband three brothers John Chizmadia, Andy Chizmadia and Bert Chizmadia and one sister Ann (Chizmadia) Tury.
Mary was a homemaker and her enjoyment came from spending time with her family. She was a member of St. Andrews Catholic Church and the Altar Society in Christopher.
Visitation will be on Friday Sept 13 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and on Saturday Sept. 14 from 8:00 Am until 9:45 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Services will be at 10:00 am on Sept 14 at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Christopher with Father Urban Osuji officiating. Burial will be at St Andrews Catholic Cemetery in Christopher
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Mary was loved by her friends and family. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the compassionate care provided to Mary at Lavender Ridge Memory Care and through SSM Hospice.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
Eerie September 11 message … from 31 years ago
September 10, 2019 By Leave a Comment
(Editor’s Note: This is a story I wrote on September 13, 2001, two days after the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. Even after all these years this story still gives me “chills.” The AP picked up this story and it hit the national wire. I did probably six radio interviews by telephone from various places around the nation. This story has to rank as one of my all-time favorites simply because of the raw emotion everybody was feeling in those days immediately following the terrorist attacks. — JM)
By Jim Muir
BENTON–There are things that happen in life, even though hard to explain, that can be passed off as coincidence. And then there are other things, regardless of how much a person tries to reason, that simply have no explanation. Such was the case recently in Benton when a simple phone call produced a chain of events that could only be described as eerie.
The odyssey began Thursday when Benton High School athletic director Don Smith contacted Benton businessman David Severin looking for 40 small flags to place at Tabor Field for Friday night’s football game, as a way to honor and remember the terrorist attack in New York earlier this week.
Severin explained to Smith that he also had been trying to locate flags for his store, All Stars n’ Stitches, that’s located on the Benton square. Severin told Smith, in the aftermath of what had taken place in New York City and Washington D.C., everybody was sold out of flags.
Approximately 30 minutes after the phone call Severin received another call, this time from his mother.
“The first thing she asked me was if I knew anybody that might be looking for some flags,” Severin said. “I asked her how many flags she had and she said 40.”
Severin explained that his mother had been going through the personal belongings of his father, the Rev. George Severin, who passed away two months ago, and came upon the flags that had never been unwrapped.
Severin immediately traveled to his mother’s home and what he saw, in his words, gave him “goose bumps.”
“My dad loved to decorate with flags so it wasn’t uncommon that he’d ordered them,” Severin said. “But when I looked at the sales ticket I noticed that he had ordered the flags more than 30 years ago.”
The flags were shipped, Severin said, from New York City on Sept. 11, 1970 – exactly 31 years to the day that New York City was attacked by terrorists.
“Totally unbelievable,” Severin said. “When I saw the date and where the flags were shipped from … I couldn’t believe it – what’s the chances?”
And if that’s not enough for any skeptics in the audience who want to say ‘merely a coincidence’ there’s one final piece to this puzzle. According to the sales ticket the flags were shipped to the house where the Rev. George Severin lived in 1970 – the address is 337 South Main Street in Benton — which happens to be the same house where Don Smith, the person that made the original phone call about the flags, currently lives.
