Obituaries
Death of Caleb Austin Martin
Caleb Austin Martin, 27 of Mount Olive, died Tuesday, October 15, 2019, at 3:58 am at his residence in Mount Olive. He was born on September 15, 1992, in Alton to Stephen Martin and Belinda McElvain.
He married Bethany Faith Knox on August 27, 2016, at Timber Lakes Golf Course, Staunton. He attended Mt. Vernon Grade School, Benld Elementary School and graduated from Gillespie High School with the class of 2011. He continued his schooling at Lewis & Clark Community College in Godfrey for two years and received his associate’s degree in applied sciences Drafting/CAD Technology and a Certificate of Proficiency. He was employed as a drafter for Federal Steel Erection Company in East Alton for three years.
Caleb attended the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints in Litchfield. He had a gentle and loving soul, and had the biggest heart and was completely selfless. He loved God and those around him and received that same love in return. Most of all, he shared an exceptional love and bond with his wife that was unlike any other and truly cherished their life together. Caleb was a talented and passionate drummer, who could perform and master covers to nearly every song that came to mind. He enjoyed playing the drums with his band The Yard Dogs, his friends and for his previous church; playing video games; watching wrestling; listening to the Rizzuto Show on 105.7 The Point; going fishing; telling the best “dad jokes” as he called them to anyone who would listen; and making memories with his family and friends.
He was the biggest hockey fan and he loved cheering on his St. Louis Blues. Caleb enjoyed attending games any chance he got and witnessing his favorite team win the Stanley Cup this year. Throughout his entire battle with osteosarcoma, Caleb kept an upbeat spirit and touched many lives with his unwavering faith. He will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing and loving him and who will keep his memory alive forever.
Caleb leaves behind his wife, Bethany Martin, Mt. Olive; parents, Stephen & Belinda Martin of Wilsonville; two brothers, Jon (Jamie) Sadler of Titusville, FL and Cody Martin, Staunton; sister, Kaghen (CJ.) Chandler of Gillespie; grandparents, Jesse & Sylvia Cisco of Mt. Olive; grandfather, Chris (friend Debi) Schmidt of Staunton; nephews, Landynn & Wyatt Sadler and Landon Martin; niece, Olivia Chandler; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Barbara Hert, Clarence McElvain and Alfred Hert; paternal grandparents, Wilburn Martin, Sr. and Martha Martin; and uncles, Kenneth Martin and Wilburn Martin, Jr.
Visitation services were held on Friday, October 18, 2019, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, 12368 Roberson Road, Litchfield. Funeral services were held on Saturday, October 19 at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, Litchfield with Bishop Lonnie Bruce. Burial followed at Chapman Cemetery in Mt. Olive. Memorials are suggested to Sarcoma Foundation of America, Inc. and Chapman Cemetery. Becker & Son Funeral Home, Mt. Olive, Illinois 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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