Obituaries
Death of Kate (Hopley) Cordani
Kate (Hopley) Cordani, 95, passed peacefully at home on Friday, August 5, 2022 surrounded by her family. She was born in Dorchester on January 23, 1927, to the late Mr. and Mrs. Owen & Mary Ann (Judson) Hopley, both immigrants from Sheffield, England. Kate resided in her home for over 60 years and has told family that the house sits on the first 80 acres of land that began the township of Staunton.
Kate married Angelo Cordani on January 30, 1949, at the Methodist Church in Witt, Illinois. They shared almost 68 years of marriage before his death in 2017.
As a lifelong resident of Staunton, Kate was a devoted housewife, dedicated mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a woman of strong faith and a very active member of Zion Lutheran Church of Staunton involved in Ladies Aid, Altar Guild, Bible Class, and was a regular nursing home visitor on communion days.
She enjoyed Staunton Municipal Band Concerts, riding her bike, and was an avid reader who believed in lifelong learning. She spent countless hours at her kitchen table with her grandchildren making sure their school lessons were completed. Many may remember her dedication to walking and leading a healthy lifestyle. She did enjoy sweets on occasion and would indulge in things like custard or a mincemeat pie, her favorites.
She had a fond affection for birds and enjoyed countless hours of watching them through her house windows. Kate was also an avid sports fan who loved watching the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, and Illini basketball. Kate was a quiet, private person of few words but when she did speak it was very witty. She held a keen intuitive sense about life events. She lived a very humble life and maintained her household until the very end, proudly keeping a very clean and organized home.
Kate is survived by four children, Mark (Kay) Cordani of Pontiac, Mary Ann Heise (George Compton) of Staunton, Christine (Steve) Foshage of St. Charles, Missouri, and Wanda (Steve) Hughes of Staunton; 7 grandchildren, Maria (Ryan) Gusewelle, Karla (Mike) Finnegan, Kirk (Lisa) Cordani, Kathryn (Thom) Ward, Joshua Henke, Whitney (Taylor) Breen, and Robert Foshage; 16 great-grandchildren, Collin & Eric Gusewelle; Cole, Ethan, Sean, & Amelia Finnegan; Gianni, Louie, Angelo, & Nico Cordani; Karleigh, Bennett, & Brooklyn Ward; Elliott Henke; Brooks, Brady, and a soon-to-be Beau Breen; two sisters-in-law, Christine “Nonnie” DalPozzo and Geraldine Polley; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Kathleen Cordani; son-in-law, Patrick Heise; three brothers, Owen, Phillip, and Bernard Hopley; and one sister, Kathleen Lowe.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 PM on Thursday, August 11, 2022, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton and again from 10 to 11 AM on Friday, August 12, 2022, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton. Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 12, 2022, at 11 AM at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton with Rev. William Gleason and Rev. Darwin Schrader co-officiating.
Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Staunton. Memorials are suggested to either Zion Lutheran Church of Staunton or to Zion Lutheran School of Staunton. 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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