Photos Today: Spartans fall in state basketball semifinal

Hannah Dukeman comes out to the floor during team introductions before the start of St. Joseph-Ogden's Class 2A state semifinal game against Teutopolis on Friday. The Spartans, in their first-ever final four appearance advanced to the third-place contest on Saturday after falling 50-31 to the Wooden Shoes. Dukeman, who finished the game with 5 points and 5 rebounds in loss, and her teammates kept Teutopolis on the heals most of the first half before too many missed shots from the field put the game out of reach. (Photo: PhotoNews/Clark Brooks)

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Maclayne Taylor takes a shot during first half action against the Wooden Shoes. In her 28 minutes on the floor the senior scored just 3 points and picked up 3 rebounds. See more photos from this game here: St. Joseph-Ogden vs Teutopolis state semifinal basketball game. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

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St. Joseph-Ogden's Payton Vallee tries to establish position under the basket for a rebound with Teutopolis' Claire Bushur. Vallee hauled in one offensive rebound and three on the defensive side of the court. She contributed 3 points to the final score and had one steal in the semifinal loss on Friday. (Photo: PhotoNews/Clark Brooks)

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Hoping to motivate his team to victory, senior Cole Zaccarelli cheers loudly for his SJO basketball team. (Photo: PhotoNews/Clark Brooks)

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St. Joseph-Ogden's Peyton Crowe dribbles down the baseline past Teutopolis' Olivia Niemerg. Crowe, who was named to IBCA's All-State Second Team and will play for the Parkland Cobras in the upcoming season, led the Spartans in scoring with 10 points and nine rebounds. (Photo: PhotoNews/Clark Brooks)

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St. Joseph-Ogden's Payton Jacob goes up for a shot, her only attempt in her four minutes on the floor, during second half action against Teutopolis. The ball failed to find the hoop in game were SJO made just 17% of their shots in the second half from the field. See more photos from this game here: St. Joseph-Ogden vs Teutopolis state semifinal basketball game. (Photo: PhotoNews/Clark Brooks)

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Spartans bring home hardware

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Ella Armstrong attacks the paint during the waning minutes of SJO's third place game against Hillsboro at the IHSA State Basketball Finals on Saturday. Fueled by a 28-point performance from senior teammate Bree Trimble, the Spartans will bring home the program's first state trophy after defeating the Hiltoppers, 68-53. (PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

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Second Time Almost A Charm

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Payton Vallee challenges Teutopolis' Lexie Niebrugge for the ball in the second half of their Class 2A state semifinal game on Friday evening. Despite an outstanding first half against the Wooden Shoes, the Spartans fell 50-31 and advanced to the division's third place game. SJO will face Hillsboro in Redbird Arena at 5:30pm on Saturday. (PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

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Transitions: Mervin Aden, 86, passes on

Mervin G. Aden, 86, of Savoy, passed away at 10:28 p.m. Friday, February 1, 2019, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

Visitation services will be held tomorrow from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the church at St. John Lutheran Church in Royal, with the Rev. Emil Blobaum officiating. Mervin will be laid to rest following the visitation at St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Royal.

Mervin was born on August 19, 1932, in St. Joseph, the son of Heye and Margaret (Roelfs) Aden.

He served his country from 1952-1954 in the U.S. Army and did a tour in the Korea. A graduate of the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois, Mervin continued his education to earn a Master Degree from Bradley University.

He married Sonna Lou Wills in 1955. She preceded him in death in 1983.

After 34 years of loyal service he retired from Catepillar in Peoria in 1997.

He was a member of Toastmasters, the Illinois Farm Bureau and First English Lutheran Church in Peoria and also attended St. John Lutheran Church in Champaign. In addition living in Savoy, Mervin made Chillicothe, Ogden and Royal his home during his lifetime.

Mervin was active in farming all of his life and earned a pilot's license. In addition to flying, he enjoyed traveling, golf and read in his spare time.

He is survived by his children, Julie (Adrian Stone) Aden of Sunrise, Florida, and Kevin (Jennifer) Aden of Houston, Texas; three grandchildren, Heather (Chris) Lebow, Abigail (Stan) Henaman and Katie Aden; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Berniece Aden of Champaign; brothers, Ray (Loretta) Aden of St. Joseph and Herb (Nancy) Aden of Newman; and his companion, Ruth Ann Buckles of Champaign.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Jan Ellen Aden; and sister, Irene Osterbur.

Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Cemetery Fund and the Paralyzed Disabled Veterans.