Category: South Wilmington

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.   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   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! …

Andrew B. Serena, 37, of South Wilmington, IL, passed away Sunday, April 13, 2025 at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, IL.  Andrew graduated from Joliet Junior College and also graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University in 2012. …

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,…

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…

Feb 25 Seneca vs Bishop Mac – Regional Tourney 1     2    3     4    Total Lady Irish       5   13    4    8      30 Bishop Mac.   5  13…

  

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…

At the 2025 River Valley Conference Scholastic Tournament, held February 8 at Donovan High School, Tri-Point High School defeated Illinois Lutheran to take the first place trophy. First Team All-Conference from L-R are:  Roman Faletti, Gardner-South Wilmington, Sean Reposa, Illinois…

Feb 6 The Tigers battled Bourbonnais St. George in the Regional Championship game.   GSWB struggled to get any baskets to fall in the first half and the Tigers would find themselves behind at the half 10-17.  The Tigers would cut…

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…

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…

  September 13 – The Dwight Trojan Football Team notched their third victory of the season by soundly defeating the Aurora Central Catholic Chargers by a score of 46 – 0 Friday night in Aurora. The Trojans opened the scoring…

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,…

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;…

Lester William Rury, 83, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at his home in South Wilmington, IL. Lester was born on May 13, 1941 in Sparta, IL to his parents Marby and Paul Rury….

Richard L. Lenzie, 85, of Union, Missouri, passed away on Friday, June 7, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. Richard Louis Lenzie was born January 30, 1939 to Charles and Dorothy (Fritz) Lenzie in South Wilmington, IL. Richard grew up…

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.

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…

Gardner Village Board March 25, 2024 By Don Phillips Gardner village board met in regular session Monday evening, opening their business with the approval of the March 11 minutes, payment of the bills, and approval of the Treasurer’s report. The…

Photo by Shayla Loring Photography

  Photo by Shayla Loring Photography.

  March 5 Last night the 8th VB season ended with a loss to St. George in regionals. Callie Robison had 1 ace and 2 kills. Olivia Buck had 2 aces and 3 digs. Sienna Burke had 1 kill. Kaitlynn…

Mr. William Pohl, from the Braidwood Knights of Columbus Council #1574, presented a generous check to the GSW High School Special Education Program.  Each year, money collected from the Tootsie Roll Fund Drive is donated to local area schools for…

Gardner South Wilmington High School Math Team Dynasty!  Light the V for the GSW Math Team! The team won the RVC Conference Meet for the 11th consecutive year! Aiden Himes and Kaden Cavaness placed 1st for their oral presentation on…

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…

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…

9/15/23 Saunemin Meet Results The GSWB Cross Country Team competed in Saunemin’s 5 Mile Creek Invitational on September 15th. Four separate races were ran and the Tigers were able to come home with a handful of medals. Leah Oslen was…

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…

Donald Lardi Age 83, of South Wilmington, IL passed away on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at his home with his loving family by his side.  Born on October 11, 1939 in South Wilmington to the late Armand “Shorty” and Mary…

Elaine G. Joyce (nee Menozzi) Elaine G. Joyce, 93, of South Wilmington, IL passed away July 27, 2023 at Morris Hospital.  Born August 7, 1929 in South Wilmington to Romeo (Dick) and Loretta (nee Burla) Menozzi.  She graduated from Gardner-…

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…

Donna M. Horrie (nee Lardi) Donna M. Horrie (nee Lardi), age 80, of South Wilmington, IL passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at her home.  Born January 8, 1943 in Joliet, IL to the late Armando Raymond and Mary…

Elaine Elizabeth Testa (nee Donna) Elaine Elizabeth Testa (nee Donna), 97, of South Wilmington, IL passed away peacefully, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Heritage Health Nursing Home in Dwight, IL. Born September 27, 1925 to the late Peter and Effie…

The GSW Pantherette Spiritine competed at the IDTA (Illinois Drill Team Association) State Contest February 11th in Springfield, IL. The team had two amazing performances that were the strongest we have seen all season. Overall, they placed 2nd in A…