Obituaries
Death of Kenneth Charles Kay
Kenneth Charles Kay, 87 of Benld, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. He was born in 1935 in Racine, WI to Elwood and Mary (Trione) Kay. He grew up in East St. Louis, IL until his family moved to Hollywood Heights, IL.
Kenneth graduated from Collinsville High School in 1952 and went on to attend the University of Illinois where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music education. Kenneth was drafted into the Army in 1958. He was stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO until his early release in 1959 to teach band in Manito, IL. In 1964, he relocated his family to Benld to replace Louis Philippe as CUSD #7 band director.
Kenneth earned his master’s degree in 1974 from SIU in Edwardsville. He remained as band director with CUSD #7 until his retirement in 1993. Upon moving into the area, he joined the municipal bands playing saxophone and clarinet. Kenneth took over directing duties of the Benld – Gillespie Municipal band in 1974, later adding Mt. Olive and then Staunton making one area band known as the Heritage Band. He gave up directing in 2015 and then went back to his love of playing saxophone.
During his tenure at GHS, he taught hundreds of students the love of music. He prepared students for performances, concerts, solo contests, pep band, parades, and All-district tryouts. Kenneth also directed the pit band and played saxophone for many of CUSD #7 school musicals. The last one being in 2017, “Back to the 80’s”, directed by his daughter.
Kenneth had many hobbies which included wine making, stamp collecting, mushroom hunting, traveling, gardening and crossword puzzles. He liked going to used book fairs looking for old records and books. His favorite love was spending time with his grandsons whether it be fishing, out to lunch (not McDonald’s), a movie, or an adventure.
Kenneth is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Marilyn (Lemons); son Kenneth E. Kay; daughter, Leanna (John) Sawyer; grandchildren, Brendan Clark, Bradley (Hayley) Clark, Jennifer Sawyer, Emily Sawyer, and Daniel Sawyer; great-grandson, AJ Clark; sister, Loretta (Dominic) Giacoletto; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be on Friday, January 20, 2023, at Kravanya Funeral Home, Benld from 5 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at Kravanya Funeral Home, Benld at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Benld Cemetery, Benld.
Memorials are suggested to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, CUSD #7 High School Band or Gillespie United Methodist Church. Kravanya 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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