Ashley Blackstone and Derek Launius are engaged to be married. Ashley, daughter of Glen Blackstone of Murphysboro and Darlene Waier of McLeansboro, graduated from Hamilton County High School in 2004 and from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in 2008. She has a degree in mathematics. She is currently teaching math at Carmi-White County High School and is pursuing a master of science degree in mathematics education at SIU-Carbondale. Derek, son of Larry and Elsie Launius of Walpole, graduated from McLeansboro High School in 1999 and from SIU-C in 2007. He has a degree in plant and soil science and a degree in mining engineering. He is currently working as a reclamation engineering specialist for Peobody Energy in Equality and is a cattle farmer. He is pursuing a master of business administration degree at McKendree University. The couple will be united in marriage at Star Baptist Church on Nov. 21, 2009. Invitations have been sent.