Obituaries
Death of Anthony “Tony” Wayne Leone
Anthony “Tony” Wayne Leone, 83 of Benld, passed away peacefully at the hospital surrounded by his family on September 15, 2021. Tony was born on March 4, 1938, in Litchfield to the late Anton and Irma (Benedetti) Leone, both of Benld.
Tony graduated high school from Benld High School in 1956. He worked in the family business, Leone Lumber Inc. He went to SIUC and Rolla School of Mining and was also in the Army Reserves. He and his family returned to Benld in 1967 to become a partner at Leone Lumber. He became sole owner and retired in 2000.
Tony married “his bride” Gerrie Wall on May 2, 1964. He always said I ran into a “wall” and married her. They spent 57 wonderful years together. Their biggest bucket list was playing golf in all 50 states. They traveled the United States with their golf clubs in the car. He never had a care in the world except to get his wife to church every Sunday. They enjoyed their life to the fullest but most of all loved being together.
He was an avid bowler and even got a 300 game ring. He enjoyed spending time on his beloved back patio. Many laughs, tears, beverages and memories were shared on that patio. There isn’t a child he knew that didn’t get quarters pulled from their ears. He loved cutting the grass and taking care of the yard with his pride and joy mowers. He would scare friends and family by cutting the hill but he was stubborn until the end.
Desserts were his favorites and everyone knew it. Never had to ask who ate the missing desserts because we knew who it was. Family meant the world to him and he would do anything for any of them no questions asked, but when should I be there. He enjoyed delivering meals for the Nutrition Center making lots of friends and memories. Whether it be inside or outside he loved feeding the birds and watching them come to his feeder, just would get mad at the squirrels. He was especially fond of his neighbors that did so much for him. He was active with the K of C’s, Rotary, Owls, Lions and Croatian Lodge. He was on the St. Joseph’s Church Board, an usher and involved with church projects.
Tony is survived by his wife, Gerrie of Benld; son, Rick (Bambi) Leone of Guam, USA; daughter, Randi Leone (Jim) Wescoat of Port Orange, FL; grandchildren, Jay, DeAnn, Bret, Heather, and Kimberly; great-grandchildren, Mason, Ethan, Tucker, Tyson, Truman, Lydia, and Logan; brother, James (Kerin) Leone; sister, Della Kay Sullivan (Scott) Millick; sister, Cheryl (Jim) McKay; sisters in law, Susie & Spike Briggs, Maureen & Gary Mueth, and Patti & Marv Albert; and several nieces and nephews who all thought the world of him.
In addition to his parents, Tony was preceded in death by his niece, Gigi Sauzek.
Visitation will be on Saturday, September 18, 2021, at St. Joseph’s Church, Benld from 10-11:30 a.m. Funeral mass will be on Saturday, September 18, 2021, at St. Joseph’s Church, Benld at 11:30 a.m. with Father Michael Haag officiating.
Memorials are suggested to the Build Benld, Benld Nutrition Center, Benld Library, Adopt A Pet, or St. Joseph’s Altar Society. Kravanya Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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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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