Obituaries
Death of Mabel P. Hefer
Mabel P. Hefer, 99, of Scottsdale, Arizona, formerly of Staunton, passed away at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 5, 2020, at her residence in Scottsdale, Arizona. She was born on March 15, 1921, on a farm west of Gillespie, the daughter of the late John and Emma Henrichs.
It was on this family farm where her parents and grandparents settled and lived. She was heard many times saying that the farm was the reason for her good health during her lifetime. She truly loved the farm. However, she was also heard saying that she was ready to live in town where milking cows and gathering eggs would be replaced by helping Archie run Hefer Lumber and Hardware Company in Staunton.
They were married on August 14, 1951. He preceded her in death on May 30, 1980. After her husband Archie died, she turned her attention to her two daughters, Barbara and Glenda, and their families. They expressed a desire to live in Arizona so she frequently traveled back and forth for the next twenty years until she moved to Arizona fulltime in 2001. Her love of living in Phoenix, Williams, and Flagstaff grew because that was where her family lived. They remained a big part of her life until her death.
After her husband died, she also enjoyed studying and reading the Bible and talking to others about the hope the Bible holds within. She was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. In more recent years, her immediate family grew to include one niece and three great-nieces who would come to Arizona to visit her yearly. Many days were spent traveling to interesting parts of Arizona and enjoying what Mabel had to say on any given subject.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by one brother, John.
She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara & Brian Kuckuck and Glenda & Gerry Moss; and one grandson, Steven. She is also survived by a niece, Dorcas Williamson, and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.
A gathering is being held at Memorial Park Cemetery where she will be buried next to her husband, Archie, on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, at 11 a.m. Memorials are suggested to the charity of the donor’s choice. 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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