Obituaries
Death of Frederick “Ted” George Behrens
Frederick “Ted” George Behrens, 77, of Gillespie, passed away Friday, October 28, 2022, at 8:16 PM at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis surrounded by his loving family.
Ted was born in Waukegan, IL on October 7, 1945, to Dr. Frederick A. (Ted) and Mary (Haddad) Behrens.
In addition to his parents and grandparents, Ted was preceded in death by a niece, Krista Schaefer, Uncles Carl (Harriet) Behrens and Alfred (Irene) and Alex (Margaret) Haddad, Aunt Vanita Haddad, and several cousins.
Ted is survived by his beloved sister, Pamela ‘Pam’ Schaefer, of Hillsboro, and his “kids” — nieces Janeen (Mike) Griewing of Edwardsville, Danelle (Buddy) Bartels of Mahomet, and nephew Thomas ‘Tommy’ (girlfriend Ashley) Justison, of Hillsboro.
He was also blessed with two great-nieces, Marinne and Estella Bartels, three great-nephews, Kameron Bartels and Brayden and Eastyn Griewing, and many wonderful friends.
Ted graduated from Gillespie High School in 1963 and attended Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville before bravely answering the call of his country to join The United States Marine Corps in 1965, where he served in ‘America’s Battalion’—The Trinity — 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines. Fortes Fortuna Juvat – Fortune Favors the Brave.
He was deployed to Viet Nam in 1965, where he served valiantly protecting his brothers-in-arms in Chu Lai and Da Nang in central Viet Nam.
His service to his country was dually a great sense of personal pride and the continuance of a proud family tradition, with his father serving in WWII and his grandfather in WWI.
Upon returning from the Viet Nam War, he began work as an architectural draftsman/estimator in St. Louis, where he later retired.
More than work, he enjoyed most his many hobbies and especially time with his family. He always chose family over material gain and made incredible effort to be at every event to support his ‘kids’. He truly understood the value in quality time and unconditional love.
He was an incredibly gifted musician. He began playing piano at age 6 and never stopped. Ray Charles was a great inspiration to his music, among many others. His favorite song was What’d I Say.
He also played guitar and keyboard for many years in the local band Fat Chance, which had recently returned from retirement. He said he was like ‘A kid in the candy shop,’ having the opportunity to entertain the audience once again.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing, and watching football and baseball. He was an avid fan and could often be found on gameday tailgating the Illinois Illini, St. Louis Rams, and St. Louis Cardinals.
He always had a passion for vehicles, reminiscing often of his Yellow Corvette Stingray and later picking up the Harley-Davidson motorcycle at age 50. He most recently acquired and had been restoring a beautiful 1969 Buick Riveria GS – His dream car.
He was a brilliant mind, and always up for an intellectual spar—especially if it had to do with politics, history, militaria, or strategy.
He was a lifelong learner and had the great fortune to travel to many of the historic sites he loved learning so much about. He especially loved having the opportunity to attend many USMC reunions and spend time with his dear friends locally.
He was also a member of Gillespie’s Zion Lutheran Church—a church cofounded by his great-grandparents.
It is no surprise that Ted was voted ‘Most Popular’ in High School. His boisterous laugh, beautiful hazel eyes, toothy grin, and booming voice charmed us all.
Although someone in life who exhibited exceptional humility, his family knows him for the American Hero, the family patriarch, the protector, the father and grandfather figure and the all-around brilliant and loving man he was.
His loyalty, his dependability, his generosity, his support and investment in family at any and every chance he had, his appreciation for life, his intellectual curiosity, his lifelong selflessness and duty to his country and fellow person are all examples not only for all of us to follow but are an incredible legacy of a life dedicated to making anyone who had the great fortune to know Ted a world in which was truly a better place to live.
He will be ever remembered and profoundly missed as the light in his family’s life. As you requested, we Cheers your wonderful life and everlasting impact on us. Your kids and your family love you dearly. Until we meet again.
Visitation: 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM Friday, November 4, 2022 at Kravanya Funeral Home – Gillespie.
Funeral Service: 2:00 PM, Friday, November 4, 2022 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church – Gillespie, with Pastor Stefan Munker officiating.
Burial will follow at the family plot located within Gillespie City Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Wounded Warrior Project, or a charity of the donor’s choice in honor of Ted’s passions.
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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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