Obituaries
Death of Betty J. Cravens
Betty J. Cravens, 91 of Carlinville, died on October 24, 2022, at Carlinville. Betty was born on September 23, 1931, in Williamsville the daughter of Fred A. and Bertha (Hanner) Powell.
She married George W. Cravens on October 18, 1949, in New Bern, NC at First Baptist Church while he was stationed at Cherry Point Marine Air Station. George died on February 19, 1984, in Leitchfield, KY.
Survivors include a son, James G. Cravens, Louisville, KY; three sisters, Dr. Barbara J. Powell of Overland Park, KS., Patricia L. Hunt of Hiawassee, GA, and Judith A. Harms (Phillip) of Carlinville; brother, David A. Powell of Carlinville; four grandchildren, Shane M. Cravens (Kelli) Springfield, Crystal D. (Cravens) Horner of Petersburg, IL, Jeramie J. Cravens of Naples, FL, and Kristi A. Taylor Plymouth, IA; a step grandchild Thomas Hansen, Springfield; and several great-grandchildren.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband G.W.; son, George Michael Cravens, (1-9-1971); her parents; brothers, Charles F. Powell and Robert E. Powell; and a sister, Jacquelyn “Jackie” S. Frakes (Kevin).
Betty worked at various professions including with her husband in their real estate, auction and insurance business, for the State of Illinois Department of Transportation, and for the Illinois Legislature. She and her husband moved to Leitchfield, KY in 1973 and she worked at the Grayson County Health Dept. and for the USDA Farmers Home Administration.
After the death of her husband, she transferred to Champaign where she retired from the USDA in November 1996. She then worked part-time at the Assembly Hall and later as assistant manager of the Champaign Postal Credit Union. She attended Parkland College and volunteered at Carle Foundation Hospital Auxiliary. She was a lifelong lover of music, starting with her siblings singing in country school pie suppers.
In Champaign, she sang with the U of I Oratorio Society and attended Grace Lutheran Church where she sang in the choir. She was an avid reader and writer and enjoyed traveling and attending classical music concerts. In March 2015, she moved to Lake Ozark, MO where she joined the Lake Regional Hospital Volunteers, Ozark Book Club and Christ the King Lutheran Church and published her book Never Enough, the story of her life up to 1984.
Memorials may be given to the Carlinville High School Music Department.
In 2020, she moved to a retirement home in Carlinville to be close to family.
One of her favorite quotes is: “Life is but a blink! A shooting star, just a fleeting moment of brightness in a single night of all the seasons in all creation, the shadow of a soaring eagle that passes across the face of a sleeping man; one drop of rain; one breath of a new born child; one small cloud that drifts across the moon – that is all we are—“
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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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