Seven slated for Helias Hall of Fame

Helias Catholic High School in Jefferson City will honor seven individuals Jan. 29 as they are inducted into the Helias Hall of Fame.

A special Mass will be at 4 p.m. for the inductees and their immediate families, followed by a social hour at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m. and the program at 7 p.m. in the Helias Commons for relatives and friends.

If you would like to attend, contact the Helias Foundation at 573-635-3808 by Wednesday. Tickets are $25 per person or a table of eight is $200 and a table of 12 is $300. Net proceeds from this event will be used to supplement the Helias tuition assistance program.

The Helias Hall of Fame began in 2008 to recognize outstanding individuals whose lives have helped establish Helias High School.

New members are inducted into the Hall of Fame each year, and the event is in January to tie it in with the beginning of Catholic Schools Week.

To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, individuals must have graduated at least 20 years prior to induction, demonstrated loyalty and service to Helias, distinguished him or herself in a chosen field, and exhibited moral standards to the credit of the school.

This year's inductees to the Helias Hall of Fame are:

 

James L. "Jim" Kliethermes

James L. "Jim" Kliethermes is the son of Andrew and Cecilia Kliethermes. He is married to Mary E. "Liz" Bottenfield Kliethermes. They have four children: Amy Lovelace (Eric), Ellen Dickman (Scott), Karen James (Dustin) and John (Ingrid). Jim and Liz have eight grandchildren.

He graduated from Helias in 1957 and was involved in National Honor Society and basketball and was president of the senior class. He earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Missouri School of Science and Technology in Rolla.

He served in the U.S. Army reserves (1961-69), where he attained the rank of first lieutenant. Jim worked for General Motors and Missouri Power and Light but spent most of his career at ABB as a manufacturing engineer.

Kliethermes is a parishioner of St. Joseph Cathedral in Jefferson City, where he serves as a lector and Eucharistic minister, assists with Baptism classes, leads communion services in local nursing homes and is an ordained deacon. His community involvement includes the Junior Achievement Program, National Society of Engineers and St. Peter Catholic Cemetery Board.

Kliethermes' involvement with Helias includes working on the annual Fund Drive, in which he served as chairman in 1984. He was also president of the foundation board in 1986 and served on the board for several years.

 

Donnell M. Rehagen

Donnell Rehagen is the son of Arnold and Julie Rehagen. He married his high school sweetheart, Shelly Boeckman Rehagen. They have four children: Maryssa Hardwick (Jared), Nicholas, Ashley and Benjamin. Donnell and Shelly have two grandsons.

He graduated from Helias in 1985 and was involved in stage crew. He earned a bachelor's degree in computer information systems from Missouri State University and completed his graduate degree in public administration at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Donnell's professional history includes the Missouri State Department of Transportation and chief operating officer for the National Biodiesel Board, and he is currently CEO of the National Biodiesel Board.

Rehagen is a member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Jefferson City, where he serves as a Eucharistic minister and Mass coordinator. He has served as president of the Parish Council. His community involvement includes being a board member of the East Side Business Association, where he also served as president; member of the St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery Association; and a volunteer with Catholic Radio.

Rehagen's involvement with Helias includes drive chair for the Helias Foundation annual drive and president of the Helias Foundation. For several years, he organized the annual Helias Booster BBQ Dining Hall and was a volunteer coach for the girls' basketball team.

 

Pat Schaefer

Pat Schaefer is the son of James and Rosie Schaefer. He is married to Jeannine Stricker Schaefer. They have three daughters: Chelle Smith-Vandergriff (Mark), Lanie Sedlacek (Paul) and Ellie. Pat and Jeannine have six grandchildren.

He graduated from Helias in 1975, was involved in football and stage crew, and was voted "Mr. Spirit" in 1975. Schaefer continued his education at Southwest Missouri State University before completing his bachelor's degree in business administration from Lincoln University.

For the past 22 years, Schaefer has worked for Midwest Block & Brick, where he is currently the purchasing manager. He was named employee of the year in 2006.

Pat is a member of Immaculate Conception Parish in Jefferson City, where he serves as an usher. He is a past member of the Parish Council and Long-Term Planning Committee. With his wife, he has chaired the Home and School chili supper for 20 years and the Bell Tower BBQ for six years. He is also the chair of Food for Today for Tomorrow dinner.

His community involvement includes the Knights of Columbus Helias Council, in which he served as past grand knight; the Dan Coppin 4th Degree Assembly, where he is currently faithful captain; and helping with numerous dinners and barbecues to benefit Catholic schools. Schaefer was also one of the original coaches for the PAL Football League and continues his involvement in fundraising. He has served on the Linn State Technical College Advisory Board, chair of the Scholarship Committee for the Home Builders Association of Central Missouri and as an officer of the Missouri Concrete Masonry Council. He is also a volunteer for the Pregnancy Help Center, the Vitae Foundation, the Special Olympics, and the Boys & Girls Club of Central Missouri.

Pat's involvement with Helias includes the Helias Booster Club - serving as an officer and member for more than 40 years. He also served as a committee member for the annual Helias Foundation Fund Drive and helps at the Foundation's annual fish fry.

 

Paul D. "Juggy" Schleer Sr. (posthumously)

Paul D. "Juggy" Schleer Sr. was the son of Paul F. and Victoria I. Schleer. He was married to Irma M. Kolb Schleer. They have six children: Paul D. Schleer Jr., Cathy Long (Gary), Mark Schleer (Marguerite), Jean Poe (Todd), Mary Davis (Bruce) and Vicki McElwaine (Sam). Paul and Irma have 12 grandchildren.

He graduated from St. Peter High School in 1951 and was involved in football, basketball, track, theater and homecoming activities. He attended Jefferson City Junior College and earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

He served in the U.S. Coast Guard (1953-57). Schleer was the fourth-generation owner/operator of Schleer Brothers Hardware, served two terms as Cole County presiding commissioner and 10 years as deputy director of the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency.

Schleer was a member of Immaculate Conception Parish in Jefferson City, where he served as a Eucharistic minister, lector, usher, Holy Name Society member and president of the Home and School Association. His community involvement included grand knight and district deputy of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, Jefferson City Charter Commission, Sons of the American Revolution, Evening Lions Club, Missouri River Home Health Board member, Missouri Association of Counties and Meals on Wheels.

Paul's involvement with Helias included serving as the first president and co-founder of the Helias Foundation, serving on numerous foundation committees and as a foundation board member.

 

Lynn J. Struemph

Lynn J. Struemph is the son of Norbert and Norma Struemph. He is married to Phyllis West Struemph. They have three children: George (Ryan), Timothy and Caitlin.

He graduated from Fatima High School in 1978 and was involved in FFA.

Struemph was only 19 when he lost his father and began working the family farm, doing livestock and crop work. Since 1978, he has been employed with Mid America Truss Company as a crane operator and truck driver.

Struemph is a member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Jefferson City, where he serves as an usher. He was a member of the school board for six years, Big Bucks Chairman for two years, helped with the building and grounds, and coached youth sports. His community involvement includes the Knights of Columbus Helias Council, American Legion baseball coach and PAL football coach. He volunteers with the Parks and Recreation Department, serving as a coach for flag football, baseball, basketball and softball. He also helps with charity fundraisers throughout the community.

Struemph's involvement with Helias includes the Booster BBQ, Foundation's 5K Run, golf tournament, Kentucky Derby party, Hall of Fame dinner and Grandparents Day dinner. He served on the Foundation board for six years. He helps with homecoming float building, driving the soccer team float during the homecoming parade, transporting props for the spring musical and helping transport students to summer camp.

 

Ronald "Ron" E. Vossen

Ronald "Ron" E. Vossen is the son of John (Bud) and Helen Vossen. He is married to Carol E. Glover Vossen. They have four children: Ryan (Jesse), Nathan, Aaron and Meghan. Ron and Carol have two grandchildren.

He graduated from Helias in 1974 and was involved in football, basketball, wrestling, Student Council and spring musicals. He earned a bachelor of science in education from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a master of education in school administration from Lincoln University.

After college, Vossen volunteered at the Jefferson City Diocese in the Christian Service program. He also volunteered at Immaculate Conception School. Ron has been a teacher at Helias since 1979.

Ron is a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Jefferson City and is involved in the Holy Name Society, has organized and chaired the Bell Tower BBQ, and Italian Night benefit dinner. His community involvement includes the Knights of Columbus, Samaritan Center, Vitae Society, and the Boys & Girls Club.

Along with currently teaching Mechanical Drawing, Design and Construction, Theatre Design, and Life Skills at Helias, Vossen is the set designer and production manager for the spring musical. He has served as a coach, assistant athletic director, assistant principal, director of campus ministry, Lasallian Youth leader, and has volunteered at Booster Club and Helias Foundation activities.

 

Bill Yarnell

Bill Yarnell is the son of Ralph and Worldia Yarnell. He is married to Ann Salanky Yarnell. They have three children: Christopher (Debra), Robert (LeeAnn) and Mary Ann Unger (Chad). Bill and Ann have eight grandchildren.

He graduated in 1954 from Lafayette High School in St. Joseph and was involved in band, Junior ROTC and the rifle club. He was selected for the Class of 1958 U.S. Naval Academy but was disqualified due to a vision impairment. He earned an associate degree from St. Joseph Junior College and a bachelor's in civil engineering from the University of Kansas.

Yarnell was employed by the Missouri Department of Transportation as a state design engineer and retired in 2001. He served as interim director of Public Works, was a consultant for Intellistrobe Inc., and was an adjunct professor for the Missouri University of School of Science and Technology in Rolla.

Bill is a member of Immaculate Conception Parish in Jefferson City, where he served as a past member of the Parish Council and past lector. He is a member of the Helias Council 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, Breakfast Rotary Club and the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers. He won the 1969 Young Engineer of the Year award.

He was active with Helias by serving as a volunteer substitute teacher, member and past president of the Athletic Booster Club, member of the School Board and cooked for the Fall Football Family BBQ and the Helias Booster BBQ. He also operated the football and basketball game clocks for several seasons.