November 24, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Foundation created to honor Oberheim

The family of Police Officer Chris Oberheim is working to develop a not-for-profit foundation.


The foundation name was announced Tuesday night at the St. Joseph Village Board meeting.


“We are proud to announce for the first time in public the name of our foundation is ‘Peacemaker Project 703,’ said a statement from Amber Oberheim. “Together with the community, we are looking forward to defending our blue family and their badges in Chris’ honor.”

The announcement was made after St. Joseph Village Trustee Jim Wagner presented Officer Oberheim’s cousin, Bev Pridemore, a check for $1,500.

Wagner Signs and Graphics had sold T-shirts, hats, yard signs and car decals to honor Officer Oberheim. The items can be found on BackBlueLine.com.


Proceeds were donated to the family.


Wagner said the response has been massive.


“It has been pretty overwhelming,” Wagner said.


The Wagners have sold more than 300 signs, 100 T-shirts, and 100 decals.


Wagner said he feels the response to the project is not only to honor Oberheim, a family man who served his community for more than 20 years but also to show support for all police officers.


“This is bringing people together in the community. They want to show their support of the law enforcement,” Wagner said.

Pridemore read a statement from Amber Oberheim.


“We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Jim Wagner, Wagner Signs and Apparel, the community of St. Joe, and everyone who has supported our family in the last three weeks. Your generosity has been abundant and your love is giving us strength to move forward every day. We have been completely overwhelmed with the way that people continue to show up for us on a daily basis.”

Banner
Related Posts

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...

Ask the doctor: Do adults need vaccines?

November 4, 2020

November 4, 2020

“Do adults need vaccines?” By: Jeanelle Murphy, DO Yes, adults definitely should have vaccines and keep up their childhood vaccines...

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...

Talk of the Town with SJO head football coach Shawn Skinner

September 27, 2019

September 27, 2019

Every week we ask a school official, village trustee or mayor three questions. This week we spoke to St. Joseph-Ogden’s...

The Importance of Sunscreen

July 8, 2021

July 8, 2021

By: Will Miller, PA-C, Christie Clinic Department of Dermatology Summer has come and everyone is out and enjoying the sun....

10 Things You Don’t Know about me… Sharon Jeffers

March 20, 2019

March 20, 2019

I have two grown and married children, Logan/Tressica and Lauren/Kris, and two beautiful grandchildren Weston, and Emma I grew up...

Kids say…

August 26, 2019

August 26, 2019

Every week we ask students at local schools three questions related to farming. This week we spoke to students at...

Why is it important to keep your blood pressure under control?

April 9, 2021

April 9, 2021

By: Christie Clinic Department of Family Medicine What are some signs of high blood pressure and why is it important to...

Graduation speakers thank parents, teachers and look to the future

May 20, 2019

May 20, 2019

The theme of Hannah Lewis’ welcome address at St. Joseph-Ogden’s graduation on Sunday could be summed up as thank you....

Get to know Emily Harms.

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Emily is running for Multi-Township Tax Assessor. 1. Can you provide us a little biographical information? My name is Emily...

Senior spotlight… Shelby McElroy

May 14, 2019

May 14, 2019

Leading up to graduation, we asked five seniors five questions. First up is senior Shelby McElroy. What will you be...

‘We lost a very good man in Jim Cotter’

September 2, 2021

September 2, 2021

Jim Cotter loved to brag about his kids. This past Saturday was no exception. Cotter took time out from covering...

Passion for fitness inspires Hixson’s JustBfit class

September 17, 2019

September 17, 2019

Brenda Hixson likes to help people be fit. Hixson created a fitness program that meets at St. Joseph Grade School...

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...

Giving back: Short wins St. Joseph Chamber Citizen of the Year

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

Tim Short loves St. Joseph. He and his wife, Amy, moved to St. Joseph in 1992 and never thought of...

Comments
Leave a Reply