Obituaries
Death of LuAnna Hoelting Leefers
LuAnna Hoelting Leefers, 89, of Carlinville, passed away Monday morning, at her residence in Carlinville. LuAnn was born October 28, 1928, in Carlinville, a daughter of Henry Bernard and Mary Frances (Ward) Hoelting.
LuAnn graduated from Carlinville High School with the class of 1946 and attended Illinois State University in Normal, IL for two years. She married Evan August “Peck” Leefers on September 18, 1948, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Carlinville. For many years, LuAnn helped her husband, Peck, run the family farm, where they grew corn and soybeans and raised dairy and feeder cattle. LuAnn had a knack for the grain and cattle markets, and made most of the buy and sell decisions for the business. She kept the books and managed the office. After the sons took over the farm business, LuAnn continued to help out in the office for about 20 years.
LuAnn loved working outdoors whether it was feeding calves or weeding flowerbeds. After “retiring”, LuAnn wanted to keep busy and had no trouble finding worthwhile things to do. She spent many hours helping at the Catholic Charities Thrift Store. She and Peck were on the Fundraising Committee for the construction of Ss. Mary and Joseph Catholic Church. Then LuAnn served as Chairman of the church’s landscape committee, helping to design the flowerbeds and then assisting in the planting and their care.
When the Carlinville Area Hospital opened its new facility in 2010, LuAnn volunteered as a Greeter Escort. For this service, she was honored with the Illinois Salute to Senior Service Award. LuAnn was involved in KC Ladies and was known for the delicious chocolate sheet cakes that she brought to the Fish Fries. LuAnn and Peck were members of the Flying Farmers and they flew to many places in the states and did a trip to Mexico.
Some of LuAnn’s favorite pastimes were working with her flowers, watching birds outside her kitchen window, and playing cards with her friends. She also loved to feed homemade peanut butter bars to her grandkids and to have her family gather together for birthdays and holidays.
LuAnn is survived by her daughters, Mary (David) Klaus of Carlinville, Carol (Earl) Tripp of Surprise AZ, Nancy Coomer of Carlinville, and Jean (Brent) Davis of Carlinville; sons, Arthur (Nancy) Leefers and Bill (Julie) Leefers of Carlinville; John (companion Lisa Bridges) Leefers of Jacksonville; grandchildren; Jane (David) Dunn, Lisa (Eric) Ogden, Beth (Josh) Giacomo, Kimberly (Chris) Ellis, Brian (Elizabeth) Maher, Barry (Laura) Coomer, Jr., LeAnn (Thomas) Kelly, Alexander (Andrea) Leefers, Austin Leefers, Marcus (Jackie) Davis, Emily (Adam) Burney, Dr. Gregory Davis, Blake Leefers, Cord Leefers, Dr. Haley (John) Gill, Mitchell Leefers; 16 great grandchildren; a great-great grandson; brother, Bernard Hoelting of Carlinville; and a nephew.
LuAnn was preceded in death by her parents, an infant brother and husband in 2004.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 16, 2018, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Davis-Anderson Funeral Home in Carlinville. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. on Thursd,ay May 17, 2018, at Ss Mary and Joseph Catholic Church with Rev. Michael Haag as celebrant. Burial will be in New Calvary Cemetery in Carlinville. Memorials may be made to Ss Mary and Joseph Building Fund or Carlinville Area Hospital.
Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.
Comments
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
Comments
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.
Comments
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.
Comments
-
Community News4 weeks agoSchool district apparently eyeing food management service
-
High School Sports3 weeks agoAnother strong week for Gillespie softball
-
High School Sports3 weeks agoGillespie baseball steamroll Nokomis and fall to New Berlin
-
Community News1 day agoProgressive Club to celebrate 90th anniversary