Category: Gardner

Varsity Girls Basketball Results

 December 8, 2025

Dec 6 Dwight vs Streator JV and Varsity Lady Trojans both came away with a win over Streator this past Saturday. Dwight JV 32 Streator JV 15 Dwight Varsity 46 Streator Varsity 28 First conference home game tonight (12/8) against…

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Tessa Rankovich Named GSW Queen and Grundy County Corn Festival Queen

 September 25, 2025

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…

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GSWB Lions Baseball Fall in Regional – Finish Regular Season 22 – 1!

 September 18, 2025

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…

READ MORE GSWB Lions Baseball Fall in Regional – Finish Regular Season 22 – 1!

Obituary – Kevin E. Fogarty, Gardner

 August 8, 2025

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…

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Gardner Area Band Wins Big at Music in the Parks Competition

 June 9, 2025

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…

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Congratulations to GSW High School Salutatorian Ryleigh Dvorak and Valedictorian Kendall Huston

 May 23, 2025

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…

READ MORE Congratulations to GSW High School Salutatorian Ryleigh Dvorak and Valedictorian Kendall Huston

Discover the Wonders of Agriculture at the GAVC Ag Open House • Look for the Red Barn!

 May 16, 2025

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! …

READ MORE Discover the Wonders of Agriculture at the GAVC Ag Open House • Look for the Red Barn!

GSW STUDENTS OF THE MONTH!

 March 11, 2025

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,…

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Obituary – Daniel Bell, Gardner

 March 6, 2025

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…

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Gardner Area Band Invited to Perform at National Festival of the States in New Orleans, 2026

 February 24, 2025

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…

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GGS Dodgeball Results From Feb 2

 February 3, 2025

On February 2nd, Gardner Grade School hosted its annual Dodgeball Tournament.  With 32 teams competing, there were 225+ players represented from Braceville, Coal City, Dwight, Gardner, and South Wilmington.  Players ranged in grades 2nd-8th grade with three different divisions.  All…

READ MORE GGS Dodgeball Results From Feb 2

Obituary – Kurt L. Mathes, Gardner

 January 21, 2025

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…

READ MORE Obituary – Kurt L. Mathes, Gardner

Obituary – Helen Louise Hileman, Gardner

 January 6, 2025

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…

READ MORE Obituary – Helen Louise Hileman, Gardner

KCC Announces Fall 2024 Honors and President’s List

 December 19, 2024

Date: Dec. 19, 2024 The following students have been named to the Honors List at Kankakee Community College for the Fall 2024 term. To be named to the Honors List, a student must maintain a grade point average between 3.25…

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Obituary – Kevin J. Kociss, Gardner

 November 21, 2024

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…

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For First Time in School History, Trojans Advance to Round 3 of IHSA Football Playoffs

 November 11, 2024

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…

READ MORE For First Time in School History, Trojans Advance to Round 3 of IHSA Football Playoffs

Obituary – Dixie Lee Renner, Godley

 October 22, 2024

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…

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Obituary – Michael Harry Wollgast, Sanford, North Carolina

 September 12, 2024

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,…

READ MORE Obituary – Michael Harry Wollgast, Sanford, North Carolina

Obituary – Raymond Louis Serena, Gardner

 August 26, 2024

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;…

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Obituary – Duane M. Lewis, Gardner

 July 8, 2024

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…

READ MORE Obituary – Duane M. Lewis, Gardner

600th Career Win for Jerry McDowell!

 May 7, 2024

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.

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Obituary – Unetta Jirus, East Brooklyn

 May 6, 2024

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…

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Gardner Village Board Recap – January 22, 2024

 January 23, 2024

Gardner Village Board Recap – January 22, 2024 by Don Phillips Gardner Village Board met in regular session Monday evening and opened with the approval of the minutes of the January 8, 2024 meeting and payment of the bills.  During…

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Congratulations GSW High School 2024 Homecoming King and Queen (Photo by Shayla Loring Photography)

 January 19, 2024

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…

READ MORE Congratulations GSW High School 2024 Homecoming King and Queen (Photo by Shayla Loring Photography)

Obituatry – Barbara Brooks, Gardner

 January 14, 2024

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….

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Obituary – Floyd “David” Leenerman, Gardner

 January 3, 2024

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…

READ MORE Obituary – Floyd “David” Leenerman, Gardner

Grundy County Veterans Assistance Commission – Veterans Day 2023

 November 9, 2023

Grundy County Veterans Assistance Commission – Veterans Day 2023   November 7, 2023 World War I began in 1914, after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and lasted until 1918. Thanks to new military technologies and the horrors of trench…

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Obituary – Barbara Jean Bryant, Gardner

 November 9, 2023

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…

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TESS BROOKS CROWNED 2023 GRUNDY COUNTY CORN FESTIVAL QUEEN

 September 28, 2023

Congratulations TESS BROOKS as she was crowned the GSW Queen and also was named the 2023 Grundy County Corn Festival Queen!  All four Junior reps for Gardner-South Wilmington High School (Tess Brooks, Kendall Huston, Maya Cacello and Grace Olsen) will be in…

READ MORE TESS BROOKS CROWNED 2023 GRUNDY COUNTY CORN FESTIVAL QUEEN

Gardner Area Band and Pantherette Spirit Line Perform at NIU

 September 14, 2023

On Saturday, September 9th, the Gardner Area Band and Pantherette Spirit Line performed with the Marching Huskie and Silverettes on the field at halftime of the Northern Illinois University football .  The Gardner Area Band is under the direction of Mr….

READ MORE Gardner Area Band and Pantherette Spirit Line Perform at NIU

GSW Grundy County Corn Festival Queen Candidates

 September 11, 2023

Congratulations to the following GSW High School Juniors – (pictured left to right) Maya Cacello, Grace Olsen, Tess Brooks and Kendall Huston.  They were chosen by their Junior Class to represent GSW as the Grundy County Corn Festival Queen Candidates. There will…

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Obituary – Marjorie Ann (Meredith) Clark, Braceville

 August 7, 2023

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….

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Obituary – William Lewis Schaulin

 June 17, 2023

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,…

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Gardner Area Band Places 1st in Grayslake Competition

 June 5, 2023

The Gardner Area Band competed in the Music In The Parks Concert Band competition in Grayslake, IL on May 27.  The band won 1st place in the Class AA Division.  The Gardner Area Band competed against bands from Tennessee, Ohio,…

READ MORE Gardner Area Band Places 1st in Grayslake Competition

Gardner South Wilmington Track Team Excels at Morris Meet

 May 10, 2023

The GSWB Tiger Track team took part in their sectional track meet in Morris on Saturday, May 6th.  In the 13-team meet the Tigers crushed it, winning the 8th grade Boys Sectional Champion title.  They also took the  runner-up spot  for 7th grade boys,…

READ MORE Gardner South Wilmington Track Team Excels at Morris Meet