Obituaries
Death of Gerald M. Carney
Gerald M. Carney, 78, of Virden, formerly of Girard, passed away Wednesday evening, November 5, 2014, at his home with his family by his side after an 8 year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Gerald, the son of the late Richard E. and C. Louise (Ryan) Carney, was born on October 21, 1936, in Springfield, Illinois.
He married Jane Lee (Beatty) on June 12, 1966 in Waverly, Illinois. They are parents of two children Gregory Paul (deceased) and Kimberly S. Carney Rhodes, husband Lonny of Carlinville.
Gerald is survived by his wife Jane Lee, daughter Kim and husband Lonny, and grandsons Riley Gregory, Grant and Reid Rhodes all of Carlinville along with a very special “adopted” daughter Kim (Mike) Broida of Virden. Brother Ronald (Evelyn) Carney and Sister Nancy (Darrell) Edwards both of Virden. Cousin Thelma Otten, many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
He was proceeded in death by his parents Richard (1979), Louise (1998), sister Virginia Hays (1961), brothers J. Stewart (1992), Richard E. (2002), Warren (2009) son Gregory Paul Carney (2002), and his in laws Kenneth (2002) and Virginia (2000) Beatty and 1 great nephew.
He was a graduate of Virden Community High School in 1954, where he was active in FFA and received his American FFA Degree in 1956 and a 1960 graduate of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale with a BS in Agriculture. Gerald served 4 years in the Illinois Air National Guard based in Springfield, IL and St. Louis.
He then worked in Dixon, Illinois for Production Credit Association before returning to the family farm and Brown Swiss dairy cow business. Gerald and his brother Warren farmed together for over 30 years in the Lowder, Girard, and Modesto areas, with his oldest brother Ronald joining for a few years. Gerald and Jane Lee worked side by side on the farm from the day they were married until they retired in 2004.
Gerald was an advocate for agriculture and spent many years of his life giving of his time and talents. He served on the Illinois Corn Growers Association from 1976-1986, was instrumental in creating the corn check off in Illinois and was on the Illinois Corn Marketing board from 1983-1990, and served as chairman in 1984 and 1985. He was also President of the National Corn Development Foundation from 1986-1987.
In 1989, he received the Outstanding Agricultural Alumni Award from Southern Illinois University college of Agriculture, Prairie Farmer Master Farmer in 1994, and in 1998 he was recognized by the Illinois Corn Growers Association with the World of Corn of Award for his outstanding commitment and work on behalf of corn growers from around the country. In 2011, the Gerald Carney Family was named Illinois Farm Family of the year.
Gerald was past president and member of the Macoupin County Farm Bureau, and he was an active member of the Macoupin County Fair Board for many years and still served as Honorary Board Member. Lifetime member of the Virden United Methodist Church and active in the Omni Venture group. Gerald was installed in the Virden Masonic Lodge in 1951 and became a Shriner in 1970.
Gerald had many loves, the greatest being his family, but he was an avid antique John Deere tractor collector and loved his purchase of a a black hard top 1957 that he referred to as “like the one I had” that he had new in 1957. In retirement, he enjoyed his grandson and participating in many parades around the state, including several Illinois State Fairs, where he displayed many of his antique JD’s and pulled his grandson Riley in a wagon behind the tractor throwing out candy. To him, it was just another way to share his love of agriculture.
Visitation for Gerald will be on Saturday, November 8 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Virden with Masonic Services to be performed at 1:45 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, November 9, 2014 at 1 p.m. at the Virden First United Methodist Church with services to be performed by Pastor Mary Alice Cunningham and burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Modesto.
Memorials are suggested to the Oak Grove Cemetery Maintenance Fund, Gerald Carney Agriculture Scholarship or the Macoupin County Fair.
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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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