November 21, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

10 things you don’t know about me… Jeff Van Buskirk

What is your favorite childhood memory?
I took guitar lessons when I was in 4th or 5th grade and did not practice. I just jumped up and down on mom’s bed and made a lot of noise. I did that for about 2 weeks or so. Then it was time for a recital…oops

What was your first pet’s name?
Powderpuff she was a big Collie

What book have you read that has stayed with you?
Uncommon marriage by Tony Dungy. I also like Stephen King and Dean Koontz novels.

What TV or Movie could you watch over and over?
Bourne Identity and Mission Impossible. 

What is the best advice you have been given?
Hard work pays off in everything you do.

What is something you always carry with you?
Wallet and phone.

What is something you are looking forward to?
The end of this pandemic…

What is something you always find joy in?
Making people laugh and having fun with family and friends at cookouts or just getting together playing cards, bags etc.

What is a hobby you have that may surprise people?
I like to play games on my phone, specifically golf.

What is your favorite place you have traveled to?
The Dominican Republic and Jamaica, it’s a toss up.  

in People
Banner
Related Posts

Senior Spotlight: Katelyn Berry

June 11, 2019

June 11, 2019

Every week we ask an SJO senior five questions. This week we talked to Katelyn Berry. This post is sponsored...

“It couldn’t be done” read by Erica Guelfi

June 16, 2020

June 16, 2020

It Couldn’t Be DoneBY EDGAR ALBERT GUESTSomebody said that it couldn’t be done      But he with a chuckle repliedThat “maybe it couldn’t,”...

Kids Say

October 22, 2019

October 22, 2019

Every week we ask area students questions about being a farmer. This week we spoke to kids at PVO South....

Sign ‘em up: Wagners to change locations in downtown St. Joseph

October 4, 2019

October 4, 2019

Jim and Jen Wagner want to invest in St. Joseph because the community has invested in them. “Community support is...

Comfort Quilters honor veterans

August 8, 2019

August 8, 2019

In June, 14 veterans were awarded comfort quilts. Two more could be awarded tonight at the St. Joseph Festival by...

SJO Civics class helps those in need

January 15, 2020

January 15, 2020

St. Joseph-Ogden Senior Lindsey Aden wanted to help the community so when teacher Marshall Schacht and School Resource Officer Shawn...

Former rivals give back with youth girls’ basketball program

January 22, 2019

January 22, 2019

Growing up, Andrea Flenniken was a Spartan. Flenniken graduated from St. Joseph-Ogden High School in 1996 and played girls’ basketball...

La Luna Cafe closed, new business expected to open

February 27, 2019

February 27, 2019

La Luna Cafe, located at 208 Main Street in St. Joseph, had numerous issues after it was sold to Ranjia...

Senior Spotlight: Taylor Barnes

June 7, 2019

June 7, 2019

Every week we are going to do a Q and A with an SJO senior. This week we talked to...

Sewing it all together: Hartman taking part in Project Run and Play

March 31, 2022

March 31, 2022

Growing up, St. Joseph resident Emily Hartman used to watch her mother and grandmother sew.They would create one-of-a-kind, custom-made clothes...

Kids say… what does a farmer do?

December 22, 2019

December 22, 2019

This week we asked students at St. Joseph Grade School to tell us what they think a farmer does. What...

‘Girl Scouts is not all arts and crafts’

January 19, 2023

January 19, 2023

” Hannah Fox wanted to help feed her community. And for her Girl Scout Gold Award she attempted to do...

‘He was the kind of person everyone was happy to see’

July 19, 2025

July 19, 2025

Sam Shonkwiler was full of life. He would walk in a room and people would call his name. He had...

‘I am proud of all of us’ by Kristen Costa

June 16, 2020

June 16, 2020

To the St. Joseph-Ogden High School Class of 2020, when I began writing this speech, I didn’t even know where...

Senior Spotlight… Drew Coursey

July 17, 2019

July 17, 2019

Every week we ask a St. Joseph-Ogden senior five questions. This week we spoke to Drew Coursey. This post is...

Comments
Leave a Reply