Obituaries
Death of Edna “Pug” Copeland
BETHALTO — Born in the Roaring Twenties. Survived the Great Depression. Attended Alton High School during WWII. Those times vaulted Edna “Pug” Copeland’s to a life of faithfulness to her family, friends, church, and Lord.
Pug, 87, went to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ, at 3 p.m. on March 15, 2017, in her home with her family and friends surrounding her.
Pug was born in 1929 to parents William and Julia Miller of Godfrey. Her older sister, Doris, brother, Willis, and younger sister Billie grew up on a farm which featured a civil war-era stone barn where family reunions were held long after their kids were grown. Pug’s parents preceded her in death long ago. Siblings, Doris and Willis, also were waiting for Pug in heaven when she arrived. Younger sister Billie Caveny lives in Gillespie.
Pug married Bill Copeland on May 28, 1950. A WWII Navy veteran, he was the centerpiece of her life for nearly 67 years. She listened to his stories over-and-over again, never tiring of them. And oh, how she loved his jokes.
Pug started her career as a secretary for the S.L. Moore Insurance Company in Alton. Pug and Bill established Copeland Cabinets in 1952, which they owned and operated for nearly 50 years. Oldest son, Randle, was born at that time, and he now serves with his wife Barbara, as Senior Pastors of City Temple Assembly of God in Granite City, Illinois. Their second son, Barry, born in 1956, is married to Gina. Barry serves as Network Director of the New Life Media radio network in Illinois.
She also is survived by her grandchildren Christopher (Tammie), Sarah, Kiel and Drew, along with great-grandchildren, Branden, Reagan, Cameron and Jaden.
Pug’s visitation and funeral will be at Gent Funeral Home in Alton, on Saturday, March 18, with visitation at 9:30 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m. She will be buried at Short Cemetery in Cottage Hills. She asked that memorial gifts be sent to Abundant Life Christian Center.
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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
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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.
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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.
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