Obituaries
Death of Kenneth Donald “Swede” Swenson
Kenneth Donald “Swede” Swenson, 68 of Mount Olive, died Thursday, October 1, 2020, at 6:49 a.m. at his residence in Mt. Olive. He was born on February 16, 1952, in Beech Grove, IN to the late Donald Vernon Swenson and Irene Janet Anderson Swenson.
He married Teresa Kay Rosenthal Swenson on June 27, 1997, in Mt. Olive. Kenneth attended Grant Elementary in Fairview Heights and graduated from Belleville East with the Class of 1970 where he quarterbacked the undefeated football team. After high school, he accepted scholarships in baseball and basketball to Louisiana College in Pineville, Louisiana.
While at Louisiana College, he taught and coached for 11 years and won State Championships in baseball and swimming. He received his bachelor’s in history in 1974. Following school, he had a tryout with the Cincinnati Reds. He came to Mt. Olive in 1986 and coached football, basketball, track and softball. He retired in 2008 for health reasons but was still able to sub as a teacher.
Kenneth was a Mt. Olive District #5 School Board Member and loved sports as a coach and as a participant and always remained an avid fan, especially baseball and football. He liked listening to talk radio ESPN, was an animal lover, enjoyed road trips in his truck, enjoyed reading, was a fan of John Wayne, and loved high school sports.
He leaves behind his wife, Teresa Kay Swenson, Mt. Olive; son, Ethan Tyler Swenson of Mt. Olive; stepson, David Schwab of Hamel; two stepdaughters, Laura (Doug) Mefford of Carlinville and Stephanie (Galen) Schwab Parnell of Mt. Olive; sister, Cecilie “Cooky” (K.E.) Newell of Flat Rock, IL; six grandchildren, Lucas, Elsa, Jacob, Maxwel, Chance and Shelbie; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one stepson, Matt Schwab.
Visitation services will be held on Friday, October 9, 2020, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Mt. Olive High School football field. Please wear a mask and use social distancing. Becker & Son Funeral Home, Mt. Olive are 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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