Batchtown News

By Editor | December 4, 2025 |

The Batchtown Christmas Lights were lit Saturday evening at the Town Park and above the streets in Batchtown. Members of the Woman’s Club, and others attended the ceremony. Several sites in town have beautiful Christmas displays. Brenda Sievers has a musical lite show, and Jana Sievers and family have a beautiful Christmas Display north of town up Candy Cane Lane on Turner Hollow Road. You may also enter from the Illinois River Road by going up Franklin Hill that has a sign Candy Cane Lane, A drive through Batchtown, and through Calhoun County is a Christmas Tradition you don’t want to miss. Santa Claus always comes to the Town Recreational Building on Main St. in Batchtown the Sunday before Christmas, Dec. 21, at 7 p.m. Keep this special date open.
The Church Services for the next six months will change next Sunday. The 8 a.m. Mass will be at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Meppen next Sunday Dec. 7th.and it will continue at that time and place for the next six months. There will not be an 8 a.m. Mass at St. Barbara’s Church. The daily Mass at St. Barbara’s will continue to be 8:00 a.m. every Saturday morning. The daily Mass at Meppen is Tuesday evening at 6 p.m.
The Batchtown Woman’s Club will make the Fruit Baskets with cookies at their Christmas meeting on Dec. 13, at 9:30 a.m. followed by a breakfast brunch together. Afterwards the ladies will deliver the Baskets to the shut ins, and those who have had the loss of a family member this year.
Some of the family news in the Batchtown area. The Mary Ann Flanigan family had their Thanksgiving Dinner at the St. Joseph Church Hall Nov. 23. The family came, the food was terrific, and all enjoyed visiting.
Eldon and Christine Johnes had all the family home for Thanksgiving dinner, It was a wonderful day.
Irene Wallendorf had dinner at her home Thanksgiving. The turkey dinner, and the fun of watching the children play and have fun made it very special.
Elaine Titus had Thanksgiving Dinner with the family at her home. Family there were: Brian Rose, Terry and Dawn Stumpf, J.C. Smith, Nic and Taylor, and baby Kate Harkey and Tim and Michelle and son Andrew Wieneke. They all had a delicious dinner, and a good time visiting.
Linda Russell hosted Thanksgiving at her home. Family there were: Steve and Cindy Mazorus, Hayden, Bob and Bonnie Stepaneck, and Austin, and Jes, and Michael, and Jeremy and Angie Russell, and Zoe, and Sadie, Russell, Marcy Klockenkemper, Johnny Bill Ringhausen, and Susan Surgeon. All enjoyed the turkey dinner with all the trimmings, and time visiting, and the fun of playing games.
Bernie and Robin Hillen entertained their seven sons and their families, and grandmother, Mary Ann Bailey at their home Thanksgiving Day at their home.
Brad and Anna Rose celebrated Thanksgiving Day at their home with their children, Bradley, William, Emma, Nicholas, and Greg, and Rosemary Barczewsky, Jackie and Henry, and Grandmother, Marilyn Klockenkemper, and John and Eula Mae Klockenkemper., and daughter, Emily and her husband, Eric, and daughter Elizabeth were there. Cousin, Becky Klockenkemper, and her daughter, Olivia was also there. All had a wonderful meal, and a good time together.
Brad and Anna Rose, Bradley, William, Emma, and Nicholas, and Greg, and Rosemary Barczewski, and Jackie and Henry, and Grandmother Marilyn Klockenkemper, and Paul and Joan Klockenkemper, and Becky and Olivia Klockenkemper went out to eat at John’s Corner in Grafton Friday evening and had a good time and a delicious meal.
Ronnie and Joyce Maag enjoyed visiting with their children at their homes on Thanksgiving Day.
Colin Tepen celebrated his 10th birthday Wednesday, Nov. 26. A family party was held at Jon and Melanie’s Home Saturday afternoon with his brother Carson, and the immediate family. Happy birthday Colin, have a fun year.
Kenny and Bette Eilerman had turkey dinner at their home. Their children and grandchildren enjoyed visiting and playing together.
Vera Ann KlockenKemper enjoyed visiting with her nieces Tammy and Tonya Thanksgiving Day. They brought her Thanksgiving Dinner.
St. Barbara’s Altar Society will have their Christmas Party Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Fill Inn Station. The buffet dinner will be served at 5 p.m. In the spirit of giving perishable food and personal care items may be brought for the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry.
St. Anselm’s Church in Kampsville is having a” Mitten Tree” to help our “neighbors” this year during the winter. All donations of mittens, gloves and scarves are being placed on the Mitten Tree. Everyone is welcome to participate in this mission to keep everyone warm in the winter.
St. Anselm’s Game Night will be held Saturday, Dec. 6. The doors open at 5 p.m. Games start at 6 p.m. Refreshments will be available.
The Cornerstone Church in Batchtown has Sunday Service at 10:45 a.m., and Bible Class on Wednesday at 9 a.m. Everyone is welcome.
Paula Zimmerman celebrated her birthday Dec. 3rd with her two daughters, Shawnna, and Dana at their home in Fayetteville, North Carolina. We wish her a happy birthday, and a wonderful new year.
Our sympathy goes out to the family of Robert (Bob) Snyders, 82 of rural Batchtown. Bob was a farmer, and for many years milked dairy cows, and was active in all aspects of farm life. He was a veteran, and was a member of St. Barbara Catholic Church, and served on the Financial Council. Bob was married to Pearl (Devening) Snyders and she, and son Otto preceded him in death. He is survived by Leon Snyders, Kent (Andrea) Snyders, Patricia (Bernard) Snyders, and Tammy (Tony) Franke, and his grandchildren. Bob will be missed and not forgotten. The funeral arrangements are pending at this time.
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When Winter Comes
When Winter comes and cloaks the land
She holds snow crystals in her hand,
She fashions trees in fleecy white
And icicles the eaves at night.
When Winter comes and snowflakes fly
Like dancing diamonds from the sky,
She coats my windowpane in lace
Where Old Jack Frost has kissed her lace.
When winter comes and north win ds blow,
They drift the mounds of sculptured snow.
And I, asleep in ermine arms,
Dream of Winter’s wondrous charms.
– Nora M. Bozeman