Obituaries
Death of Donald A. Schaefer
Donald A. Schaefer, 71, of Staunton, passed away at 4:30 a.m. on Monday, July 20, 2020, at his residence in Staunton. He was born on July 5, 1949, in Alton, the son of the late Lawrence J. and Elvita B. (Sauerwein) Schaefer.
He married Laurie S. Coyne on November 18, 1972, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton and she survives. Don was a steelworker at Granite City Steel in Granite City for 43 years and was a member of the Steelworkers Union. He was also a member and past Elder at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton. He also served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, was a Purple Heart and Bronze Star Recipient, and a 50-year member of American Legion Post #564 in Worden, where he was a Past Commander.
Don coached boys basketball for 15 years at Zion Lutheran School in Staunton. He also coached boys basketball for two years at St. Michael’s Catholic School in Staunton, two years as freshman boys basketball at Staunton High School, four years as JV boys basketball at Staunton High School, and two years as girls volleyball at Staunton High School. He received the honor of being named the Small School Volleyball Coach of the Year by the Alton Telegraph. He also assisted his son Chris with the Trinity Lutheran School Girls Basketball program in Edwardsville.
He enjoyed playing golf and going to Cardinals baseball games. His greatest love was spending time with his family and watching his grandkids’ activities and sporting events.
Survivors include his wife, Laurie Schaefer of Staunton; three sons, Christopher Schaefer of Edwardsville, Patrick (Amy) Schaefer of Litchfield, and Ian (Tara) Schaefer of Newark, Ohio; five grandchildren, Meara & Elle Schaefer, Shaun Schaefer, Lillyan & Owen Schaefer; brother, Larry (Donna) Schaefer of Staunton; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation services will be held from 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2020, at the Zion Lutheran School Gymnasium in Staunton. All COVID-19 guidelines will be observed during this visitation period. A private memorial service will be held later and private interment will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri with full military honors. Memorials are suggested to either Zion Lutheran School Athletic Department in Staunton or Trinity Lutheran School Athletic Department in Edwardsville, Illinois. Williamson 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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