GSW Softball Results
April 10 Wilmington Wildcats 13 GSW Panthers 3 The GSW varsity softball team lost Friday’s home non-conference game against Wilmington (IL) by a score of 13-3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E Wilmington 3 1 4…
Category: Gardner
GSWB Sports Round-Up
April 9 – Dwight Track Meet Congratulations to the track team on an amazing start to the season at the 6 team track meet in Dwight last night. A solid effort by all GSWB athletes as we saw each…
Obituary – David Stuart Nelson, Gardner
Gardner, Illinois, feels a little quieter today. On Monday, March 16, 2026, David Stuart Nelson, 83, passed away peacefully at home—the very house he grew up in. Born in Streator in 1942 to Bernard Christian Nelson and Enola (Cumming) Nelson,…
Congratulations to Gardner Grade School Tiger Pride Students for the month of January
Tiger P.R.I.D.E stands for Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Dependability, and Empathy. Classroom teachers choose one student per month who displays these characteristics and is seen as an outstanding student. It is a great accomplishment, and we are all so very proud of them. Congratulations to Gardner…
Tessa Rankovich Named GSW Queen and Grundy County Corn Festival Queen
Congratulations to the following four Juniors who represented GSW High School at the Grundy County Corn Festival Queen Ceremony. Pictured left to right: Olivia Siano, Abby Galass, Abigail Olsen and Tessa Rankovich. Tessa Rankovich won Queen for GSW and was…
GSWB Lions Baseball Fall in Regional – Finish Regular Season 22 – 1!
Sept 17 – Regional Championship @ Joliet St. Raymond Joliet St. Raymond 4 vs GSWB 1 Playing in their 5th straight regional title, the Lions had a tough opponent in St. Ray’s. With 2 outs in the 1st, St. Ray’s…
Obituary – Kevin E. Fogarty, Gardner
Kevin E. Fogarty, 67, of Gardner, passed away peacefully on August 3, 2025, at his home in Gardner, following a series of recent medical issues. A memorial visitation will be held from 2:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. on Friday, August…
Gardner Area Band Wins Big at Music in the Parks Competition
Gardner Area Band Wins Big at Music in the Parks Competition The Gardner Area Band recently traveled to Beach Park, Illinois, to compete in the prestigious Music In The Parks Concert Band competition and returned home with top honors. The…
Congratulations to GSW High School Salutatorian Ryleigh Dvorak and Valedictorian Kendall Huston
Congratulations to GSW High School Salutatorian Ryleigh Dvorak and Valedictorian Kendall Huston. Gardner-South Wilmington High School held their Class of 2025 Graduation Ceremony on Sunday, May 18 at 12 noon. Salutatorian was Ryleigh Dvorak, daughter of Nicole Dvorak of Gardner…
Discover the Wonders of Agriculture at the GAVC Ag Open House • Look for the Red Barn!
Discover the Wonders of Agriculture at the GAVC Ag Open House On Wednesday, May 21st from 1 – 5 p.m., join the Grundy Area Vocational Center (GAVC) Ag students for an immersive agricultural experience at their Open House event! …
GSW STUDENTS OF THE MONTH!
GSW STUDENTS OF THE MONTH! Patrick Phillips, Sophomore in the GSW was nominated by three staff members who recognized how his acts of service and kindness impacted out school in a positive way! He enjoys fishing, bowling, interested in fitness,…
Obituary – Daniel Bell, Gardner
Daniel Bell, 87, of Gardner, Illinois, completed his life’s journey here on earth on his birthday, March 4, in Joliet. Born March 4, 1938, in Eureka, Illinois, Daniel was the son of Basil E. and Ruth Corrinne (Diehl) Bell. He…
Gardner Area Band Invited to Perform at National Festival of the States in New Orleans, 2026
Gardner Area Band Invited to Perform at National Festival of the States in New Orleans, 2026 The Gardner Area Band, under the direction of Mr. Michael Leone, is proud to announce an exciting opportunity for its students to perform at…
Obituary – Kurt L. Mathes, Gardner
Kurt L. Mathes, 81 of Gardner, Illinois, formerly of Tuscola, Illinois, died Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at Morris Hospital. Born December 14, 1943 in Cleveland, Ohio, Kurt was the son of Walter Mathes, Jr. and Gladys (Nicholl) Mathes. He was…
Obituary – Helen Louise Hileman, Gardner
Helen Louise Hileman, 78, a lifelong resident of Gardner, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 28, 2024, at Lightways Hospice Home in Joliet, Illinois, surrounded by her loving family. Born on August 21, 1946, in Morris, Illinois, Helen was…
Obituary – Kevin J. Kociss, Gardner
Kevin J. Kociss, 69 of Gardner, Illinois, died Tuesday, November 19, 2024 in Morris, Illinois. Born January 9, 1955 in Morris, Kevin John was a son of John and Marilyn (Hansen) Kociss. He was raised and educated in Gardner and…
For First Time in School History, Trojans Advance to Round 3 of IHSA Football Playoffs
The Dwight GSW varsity football team hosted Elmwood Brimfield for the 2nd round of the IHSA 2A football playoffs on Saturday, November 9. It was a defensive battle with neither side giving up much, but the Trojans were able to…
Obituary – Dixie Lee Renner, Godley
Dixie Lee Renner age 86, of Godley, IL passed away on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at the ARC of Dwight. Born on September 10, 1938 in Joliet Township, IL to John C. and Evelyn Eldora (nee Dickson) Renner. She graduated…
Obituary – Michael Harry Wollgast, Sanford, North Carolina
Michael Harry Wollgast, 43, of Sanford, North Carolina passed away peacefully at home on September 10, 2024. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 17 from 9-11 am, with Mass following, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 165 E. Rice Road,…
Obituary – Raymond Louis Serena, Gardner
Raymond Louis Serena, 85, passed away on July 2, 2024, in Joliet, IL. Born on September 7th, 1938, in South Wilmington, IL, he was a member of Saint Lawrence Catholic Church. Ray is survived by his wife Mary Lou, children;…
Obituary – Duane M. Lewis, Gardner
Duane M. Lewis, age 80, of Gardner, IL passed away Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at Lightways Hospice Home in Joliet, IL. Born on February 12, 1944 to Henry and Lorretta (nee Coss) Lewis. On June 1, 1963 he married Donna…
600th Career Win for Jerry McDowell!
Dwight baseball coach Jerry McDowell picked up win number 600 after the Dwight Trojans defeated Streator Woodland 8–5 . McDowell is pictured here with longtime friend / coach Brett Lardi. Jerry McDowell (right) and Brett Lardi.
Obituary – Unetta Jirus, East Brooklyn
Unetta Jirus Age 96 of East Brooklyn, Illinois passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at The ARC of Dwight. Born on March 23, 1928, Unetta Marie was a daughter of Richard and Marie (Wood) Golding. She spent her…
Congratulations GSW High School 2024 Homecoming King and Queen (Photo by Shayla Loring Photography)
Congratulations to the Gardner – South Wilmington High School 2024 Homecoming King and Queen: Sam Tramutolo & Ava Brassard. Sam is the son of Steve and Andrea Tramutolo of South Wilmington and Ava is the daughter of Mike and Alicia Brassard…
Obituatry – Barbara Brooks, Gardner
Barbara Jean (Hillman) Brooks, age 82 of Gardner, Illinois, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2024 in Dwight, Illinois. Born on September 3, 1941, Barbara was a daughter of Eugene and Maxine (Christensen) Hillman. Barbara was raised in rural Gardner….
Obituary – Floyd “David” Leenerman, Gardner
Floyd “David” Leenerman, age 78 of Gardner, Illinois died Wednesday, January 03, 2024, at the ARC of Streator. Born January 19, 1945 in Fairbury, Illinois Floyd David was a son of Floyd Rudolph and Mary (Billingsley) Leenerman. He was raised…
Obituary – Barbara Jean Bryant, Gardner
Barbara Jean Bryant, 83, of Gardner, IL, passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 27, 2023 at Desert Hills Memory Care Center in Hemet, CA. She was the daughter of the late Harold and Ethel Yenson born on September…
Obituary – Marjorie Ann (Meredith) Clark, Braceville
Marjorie Ann (Meredith) Clark, age 85 of Braceville Township, Illinois died Sunday, August 6, 2023 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Born March 18, 1938 in Braceville, Illinois, Marjorie was a daughter of Shannon and Vergie (Downs) Meredith….
Obituary – William Lewis Schaulin
William Lewis Schaulin It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of William Lewis Schaulin of Colleyville, Texas. He was born in Gardner, Illinois, on July 4, 1938. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 25,…
Obituary – Suzanne Lissy, Coal City
Suzanne Lissy, 85 of Coal City Suzanne Lissy, 85 of Coal City, Illinois passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family on Friday, April 14, 2023. Born April 22, 1937 in Chicago, Suzanne was the first of seventeen children…
Obituary – Barbara Susan Bexson (nee Rex)
Barbara Susan Bexson (nee Rex), Gardner Barbara Susan Bexson, 75, of Gardner, IL passed away Friday, April 7, 2023 at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL. Born May 14, 1947 in Lockport, IL to the late Fred and…
Obituary – Wavel Needy, Gardner
Wavel Needy (nee Meyer) Wavel Needy, age 90, of Gardner, IL, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. She was born on June 17, 1932 in Chicago, IL to the late Louis and…
Obituary – Earl “Terry” Hampson, Gardner
Earl “Terry” Hampson Age 76, of Gardner, IL passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Sunday, March 26, 2023 at his home. Born July 17, 1946 in Joliet, IL to the late Earl Floyd and Bernice Mae (nee Ulbrich) Hampson. …
Obituary – Lois Dyer of Maine Township, Coal City
Lois Dyer of Maine Township, Coal City Lois Dyer of Maine Township, Coal City, Illinois, died peacefully at the family home on her 86th birthday, March 21, 2023. Born March 21, 1937, Lois Jean was a daughter of Leonard and Naomi…
Obituary – Janice Ann Madsen, formerly of Dwight
Janice Ann Madsen Janice Ann Madsen, 86, formerly of Dwight, Illinois and recently of Crawfordsville, Indiana, passed away Sunday, March 12, 2023 at the Franciscan Health Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, surrounded by her family. Janice was born December 2, 1936…
