Obituaries
Death of Rev. John R. Curtis Jr.
Rev. John R. Curtis Jr., 93 of Carlinville, passed away Friday night, January 10, 2020, at Heritage Health Care in Carlinville. John was born on August 26, 1926, to Rev. John and Anna (McMeekin) Curtis in Royalton, IL. On June 18, 1978, he married Margy Jean Jardine in Bartonville, IL.
After graduating from Vandalia High School in 1944, John enlisted with the US Navy and served until 1946 obtaining the rank of Pharmacist’s 2nd Class. He then attended McKendree University and graduated in 1950. From 1953 until 1958, John attended Seminary at G.E.T.S. in Evanston, IL, and during that time he preached at Plato Center in Burlington, IL. Churches he served were Godfrey UMC from 1959 – 1963, then went back to McKendree University where he was the Director of Religious Life until 1966. Then the Lord took him to Salem Grace UMC from 1966 -1968, Carthage UMC from 1968 – 1970, Gibson City UMC from 1970 – 1974, Bartonville UMC from 1974 – 1978, Carlinville UMC and Rural UMC from 1978 – 1987, Paris UMC from 1987 – 1997. John then came back to preach at the Rural UMC in Standard City, IL until his retirement at the end of September of 2019.
John enjoyed fishing, golfing, and gardening. He was proud to have been a St. Louis Cardinals fan since 1946. John loved preaching, his music ministry, and most of all his family.
John is survived by his wife, Margy; six daughters, Deborah (Geoffrey) Dubson of St. Louis, MO, Elizabeth (Mark) Curtis-Camphouse of Mannassas, VA, Cheryl (Tal) Beckman of Bartonville, IL, Lisa (Brian) Sullivan of Hillsboro, Melody Carlson of Arrowsmith, IL, and Rebecca (Loren) Reece of Bloomington, IL; five sons, Richard (Lynne) Curtis of Waconia, MN, Matt (Julie) Curtis of Ravun Gap, GA, David (Melissa) Curtis of Salida, CO, Bob (Bonnie) Buhs of Gibson City, IL, and Craig (companion, Shawn Bridges) Moore of McKinney, TX; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Pam Moore of Champaign, IL; sister, Margaret Ann Hooper of Birmingham, AL; and several nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. John R. Sr. and Anna Curtis; daughter, Wendy Underwood, son, Bob Moore, and a son-in-law, Tom Carlson.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 14, 2020, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Carlinville United Methodist Church, 201 S. Broad St., Carlinville. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. at the Carlinville United Methodist Church, with Revs. Rex Hendrix and David Eadie, officiating. Burial will take place in the Mayfield Memorial Park Cemetery with military rites. Memorials are suggested to the Rural United Methodist Church or the Preachers’ Aid Society and Benefit Fund. Davis-Anderson Funeral Home in Carlinville is in charge.
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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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