Obituaries
Death of Dr. Walter L. “Chick” Bishop
Dr. Walter L. “Chick” Bishop, 82 of Litchfield passed away on Tuesday, November 7, 2017, at 5:40 a.m. at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield. He was born on October 7, 1935, he was the son of Walter Lawrence and Mary Francis (Burke) Bishop of Litchfield. He married his high school sweetheart Hester Williams of Litchfield.
Surviving are his wife, a sister Judith (Dr. Eric) Strohmeyer of Bozeman, MT; his children, daughter Jane Bishop of Evergreen, CO; and sons Charles (Tammy) Bishop of Cantrall, IL; Dale (Becky) Bishop of Litchfield, IL; Don (Lisa) Bishop of Mustang, OK; Glenn (Kim) Bishop and Ben (Cheryl) Bishop of Litchfield, IL. He has many wonderful grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Colonel Thomas Bishop; and two sisters Mary Lou Pitman and Elizabeth “Betty” Robey.
He was a graduate of Litchfield Community High School Class of 1953.
He received his Bachelor’s degree in Education from SIU Carbondale in 1958; a Master’s degree from SIU Edwardsville in 1963; and a Doctorate of Education from Illinois State University in 1975. He excelled in many sports in both high school and college. He lettered in football, wrestling, and track at SIU Carbondale. In the late 1950s-early 1960s he served in the Army and the Illinois National Guard.
He was a teacher and administrator at every level, elementary through graduate school. His long career in education began in 1958 as an elementary teacher at Raymond Grade School. He was the principal and sixth-grade teacher at Ida J. Russell School in Litchfield from 1959-1967. From 1967-1977, he served as the Montgomery County Superintendent of Schools. He later served as Superintendent of the Livingston School District. He was an associate professor at Northern Illinois University, a professor and department head at the University of Northern Iowa, the Director of the Springfield Education Consortium at Sangamon State University and served as a consultant for the Illinois State Board of Education.
He was awarded the American Educators Medal in 1973 from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge. His passion for education continued throughout his life. He penned the statement, “Education is the Eternal Flame of Freedom.”
He was an avid supporter of his local community, served on many committees and was sought out to be a keynote speaker throughout the years. His love of patriotism was evident as he served as the keynote speaker for 36 years for the local chapter of The Voice of Democracy, an annual nation-wide scholarship program sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He wrote the Agriculture section for the Litchfield Sesquicentennial Book. He was well-known for his knowledge of farming, antique farm equipment and the history of the Old West. He was instrumental in organizing numerous trail rides and was called upon to judge many horse and antique farm equipment shows throughout central Illinois.
He was a member of the Christian Church of Litchfield.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
The family suggests memorials to the Christian Church of Litchfield, P.O. Box 45 Yaeger Lake Trail, the Montgomery County Cancer Association 19 Circle Drive, Litchfield and HSHS St. Francis Hospital 1215 Franciscan Drive, Litchfield.
Plummer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Comments
Eugene A. “Gene” Bentrup, age 86 of rural Staunton, passed away at 5:15 PM on Friday, April 19, 2024, at Staunton Health & Rehab Center in Staunton. He was born on Tuesday, March 15, 1938, in Staunton, the son of the late Louis and Ella (Heigert) Bentrup.
He married Shirley Repovich on June 9, 1962, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Livingston and she survives.
Gene served our country in the United States Army. He was employed as a grain inspector for Toberman Grain & Feed Company in East St. Louis for many years. He enjoyed gardening, mowing grass, shopping with Shirley, traveling with the Goldenaires Club, bowling, and table games.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley Bentrup of rural Staunton, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother in infancy, Otto Bentrup.
Friends may call from 9:00 AM to 10:45 AM on Friday, April 26, 2024, at Lesicko Funeral Home in Livingston. Funeral services for Gene Bentrup will be held at 11 AM on Friday, April 26, 2024, at Lesicko Funeral Home in Livingston with Rev. Fr. Thomas Hagstrom officiating.
Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Staunton with the Staunton Veterans Honor Guard conducting graveside military rites. Memorials are suggested to either Heartland Hospice, St. Michael Catholic Church of Staunton, or to the charity of the donor’s choice
Comments
Wanda Kaye (Huffman) Bernot, 77 of Benld, was freed from the shackles of Alzheimer’s Disease on April 22, 2024. She passed peacefully with family by her side at Community Hospital of Staunton. A poetic end for she was a selfless person.
Wanda was born on September 7, 1946, in St. Louis, MO, the daughter of the late Vernon and Gladys (Conner) Huffman. She was raised in Staunton and was a graduate of Staunton High School. She married Pete Bernot on February 20, 1965, in Benld. They lived in Benld where they raised their only child, Jeff.
Wanda dedicated her time to a career in public service by working for the State of Illinois. Much of her work for the state was spent with the Department of Public Aid as a caseworker and director in the Carlinville field office. She was also a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union.
Wanda never shied away from helping people. After retirement, she served as Benld’s City Clerk and served on the Gillespie CUSD#7 Site Selection Committee for the location of the new elementary school.
She leaves behind her son, Jeffrey A. Bernot of Benld; her grandchildren, Rylee Bernot (Cassidy) of Benld, Peyton Bernot of Benld, and Ashleigh Feldmann (Daniel) of Staunton; great-grandchildren, Elexia, Jace, Jax, and Emreigh; a sister, Rita Soens of Williamson; a niece, Sherry Warren (Mike); and great-nieces, Shelby and McKenzie.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Pete, who passed away on April 21, 2018.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 PM on Monday, April 29, 2024, at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton. A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton with Pastor Dane Solari officiating.
Memorials are suggested to The Partnership for Educational Excellence for the Pete & Wanda Bernot Scholarship Fund.
Comments
Rodney Lee McQuaid, 62 of Shipman, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at home. He was born on January 31, 1962, in Alton, the son of the late Roy “RD” and Ramona Kay (Moran) McQuaid.
Rodney married the love of his life Sherry Lynn Whitten on October 12, 1984, in Alton. She preceded him in death in 2020. Together they enjoyed traveling and spending time with their family, always spoiling their nieces and nephews whom they dearly loved. He was a manager at Speedway Salvage and could usually be found getting into trouble on his tractor.
Rodney is survived by his brother, Skip (Marcia) McQuaid; sister, Sherrie (Randy) Durbin; five nieces and nephews; five great nieces and nephews; and sister-in-law, Gloria Joyce.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sherry Lynn, and parents, RD and Kay McQuaid.
Visitation will be held from 10 am until the time of funeral service at Noon on Monday, April 22, 2024, at Anderson Family Funeral Home in Brighton. Burial will follow at Shipman Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Parkinson’s Foundation.
Comments
-
Community News4 weeks agoSchool district apparently eyeing food management service
-
High School Sports4 weeks agoAnother strong week for Gillespie softball
-
High School Sports4 weeks agoGillespie baseball steamroll Nokomis and fall to New Berlin
-
Obituaries3 days ago
Death of Eugene A. “Gene” Bentrup