Obituaries
Death of Alfred John Vernetti (Mansin)
Alfred John Vernetti (Mansin), son of Peter J. Vernetti and Mary M. (Balent) Vernetti, passed away on February 7, 2020, in Costa Rica, Central America.
Al was born at home in Gillespie on Dec. 5, 1934, and resided and attended school in Benld where he had participated in most of the team sports. After graduation, he served his country by joining the US Army (82nd Airborne) during the Korean War. Since boyhood, he always wanted to travel and meet people from around the world. He pursued his passion and managed to visit at least 15 countries, several of which multiple times including our ancestral home in Locana, Italy and Zemplinska Teplica, Slovakia.
He happened to be in China in May of 1989 during the Tiananmen Square protest and being a freedom-loving man, joined in with the protestors and waved an American flag. He settled in Belleville where his sense of adventure continued. He founded the Southern Illinois Explores in 1963 which was a spelunking group who explored and mapped many of the caves in that region. His adventurous nature led him into treasure hunting for which he did a great deal of research. Skilled at math, he retired from Illinois Power in 1991 as a Senior Engineer.
He then moved to San Jose, Costa Rica with the intention of searching for ancient treasures. The treasure he found there was not gold but golden, his lovely wife Caroline, who preceded him in death in 2003. Costa Rica was Al’s home for 29 years. Alfred was a strong man, loyal to family, friends and country with a thirst for adventure. He will be sorely missed.
He is survived by his two sons, Brad Vernetti and Kevin (Christina) Vernetti; grandchildren, Brian (Erin), Tony, Mary and Estefania Vernetti; great-granddaughter, Layla M. Vernetti; sisters, Rosemarie (John) Fry, Irene Mueller, and Carol (Alex) Grzelak; brother, Robert (Catherine) Vernetti; and many loving nieces and nephews.
His “ashes ceremony” will be conducted on February 16, 2020, in Costa Rica. Those wishing to send condolences may send them to the Family of Al Vernetti c/o Carol Grzelak, 8616 Fisher Road, Hanover, IL 61041.
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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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