Haunting Club
Group investigates paranormal areas
Laura Griffith
Issue date: 10/29/04 Section: News
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The Ghost Club investigates haunted areas around Coles County, taking paranormal investigating equipment to different sites to find a place that is truly haunted.
"The purpose of the club is to expose different ways that our society explores the supernatural through fun," said Kleen, a senior philosophy major.
After reading a book by Raymond Moody that popularized near-death experiences, Kleen concluded that no one has really learned anything from studying the paranormal, so he would rather have fun and learn through investigating and looking at other ways popular culture portrays the supernatural.
During the club's meetings, which are open to anyone, paranormal phenomena is discussed.
"At the first meeting, we shared our personal experiences (with the paranormal)," Kleen said.
Gerty Heumann, a junior psychology and political science major, helps Kleen explain the technical side of parapsychology during the meetings.
"If you don't take it serious, it's fine. We won't chop your head off," said Heumann, who calls herself the "token vice president" of the club.
Kleen started the club, which has about 14 members, so he could meet other people who are interested in ghosts.
"I was surprised," Heumann said of the club's turnout. "I thought it was quite large considering most people don't want to think that something like that is possible."
Every other week, the club takes a trip to a site that is believed to be haunted instead of holding a meeting.
A field trip on Oct. 14 brought the club to Airtight Bridge over the Embarras River.
On Oct. 19, 1980, a woman's dismembered body was found near the bridge, Kleen said. Then Coles County Coroner Dick Lynch said the woman was found naked, missing her head, hands and feet, according to a handout Kleen provided before the trip. The murderer was never found, Kleen said.
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