Our Honorees include:
Eric Zeller (Alumni)
Eric Zeller (’91) coached boys and girls cross country for eight years at St. Anthony, has chaperoned youth groups on retreats and events, participates in That Mani is You men’s group, and enjoys being a member of Charlie Platz’s Angels, keeping the area around the church and parish office edged and looking nice. He graduated from the University of Illinois in Chicago with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and received his MBA from Olin Buisiness School at Washington University – St. Louis. He was the administrator of Effingham Opthamology Associates for 26 years before accepting the position of President at Crossroads Bank in April 2022, having spent 9 years on their board of directors. Eric recently completed a 9-year term on the board of directors for HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, having spent 2 years as a chairman and is a board member for Trail Recreation Effingham County (TREC). Eric has high regards for the teachers, coaches, and priests at St. Anthony who have positively influenced his life.
Bill Farrey (Faculty, Staff, or Coach)
Bill Farrey (’73), has been scorekeeper for over 40 years for both the high school and junior high at both the boys and girls basketball games. Past honors include induction into the IBCA (Illinois Basketball Coaches Association) Hall of Fame Class of 2004 in the category of Friend of Basketball for the State of Illinois. He was also recognized as St. Anthony Booster Club Member of the Year in 1998. Other past activities have included working at the Tom Bryant Skills Camp for grade school boys and girls. He has also worked at the Effingham Park District as a coach and official for the boys and girls grades 1 through 6. Volunteering to help on the Knights of Columbus Annual Intellectual Disabilities Fund Drive has also occupied his time. He has spent time working the St. Anthony Parish Picnic in numerous stands. Just in the last few years, he starts off the beginning of the picnic calling the first shift of BINGO. All these efforts he has enjoyed tremendously for the parish and community.
Roy and Kate Weber (Friends of St. Anthony)
Roy and Kate have been dedicated members of St. Anthony’s Parish since 1977, after Roy’s military service at Barksdale Air Force Base. Married in 1975, they raised their four children—Christine, Jennifer, Matthew, and Aaron—within the St. Anthony School System. Over the years, they have actively served the parish in many roles, including Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Funeral Mass Server, choir members, Sacristan, and Bible Study facilitators. They have also contributed to church renovation efforts, stewardship initiatives, and are members of the DeColores Community.
Roy, a veteran with 25 years of service in the Air Force and Navy, continues his commitment through leadership roles in the American Legion at local, state, and national levels. Kate, a nurse for over 60 years, has served in critical care and education, recently being honored as Nurse of the Year by the Veterans Service Organization 40 et 8. Together, they advocate for veterans’ needs. Serving others, not to be served, is the value they wish to pass on to their children and eight grandchildren.
Andrew Gardewine (Athlete or Team)
Andrew is a distinguished multi-sport athlete whose dedication and achievements have earned him a well-deserved place in the St. Anthony Hall of Fame.
Track Accomplishments:
• State qualifier for the mile – 2013
• Placed 8th in the 800-meter state championship – 2014
• Undefeated season in the 800 meter, State qualifier in the 400, 800, 4×4000, and 4×800, State Champion
in the 800, and placed 6th in the 400 – 2015
Other Achievements:
• Member of the Men’s Basketball Regional Champions and awarded Most Improved – 2014
• Awarded Men’s Basketball MVP, Men’s Track MVP, Men’s Cross Country MVP, and Men’s Cross Country
Frances Bloemer Award – 2015
• Member of the Central Illinois All-Star Men’s Basketball Team
• MVP at the NTC vs. Lincoln Prairie All-Star Game
• Awarded All-Tournament team at St. Anthony Thanksgiving Tournament, Candalia Holiday Tournament, and
NTC Tournament
Andrew is the 2014 800-meter Illinois State Champion. Following an outstanding high school career, Andrew continued his success at the collegiate level, competing for McKendree University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing. He later pursued his passion for technology and creativity by obtaining a Bachelor of Computer Science in Game Design from Full Sail University.
During his collegiate track and field career, Andrew excelled as a three-time Great Lakes Valley Conference Champion in the 4×400-meter relay (2017, 2018, 2019) and captured an individual title in the 800-meter dash (2018). His exceptional performances led to multiple NCAA National Qualifier appearances in the 4×400-meter relay (2017, 2018, and 2019) and recognition as an NCAA All-Academic honoree in 2017.
Beyond athletics, Andrew has built a successful career as a Professional Game Designer, blending creativity and technical expertise to develop engaging interactive experiences. His drive for excellence – both on and off the track – stands as a testament to his hard work, discipline, and passion.
For more information about the St. Anthony Hall of Fame, including a list of current of Hall of Fame members, or nomination information, visit StAnthony.com/HallofFame
2024 Booster Club Member of the Year – Dan Niebrugge
Dan has had several years of dedication to the St. Anthony Booster Club including being President, creating an advisory board, participating on the advisory board, creating a tracking system for transportation, and numerous updates for our sports facilities. Dan also has spent countless hours with our athletes bettering their skills in softball and basketball.
