Obituaries
Death of Richard Finn
Richard Finn, 76, of Bunker Hill, IL died on Saturday, March 29, 2014, at Alton Rehab and Care Center, Alton, IL. He was born on September 2, 1937 in Alton, IL.
Rich spent some time working at the Olin Powder Mill in Alton, but he was a plasterer by trade and an expert at his craft. He worked for Neudecker Plastering in Alton and various other construction companies in the area. He was a partner in his own construction company in Bunker Hill for several years.
Later, he worked as a custodian at both Meissner Elementary School and Bunker Hill High School. Mr. Finn was an outdoorsman. In his childhood and throughout his adult life, he enjoyed various types of hunting and owned several hunting dogs, but hunting was always second to fishing.
An avid fisherman, he was happiest when taking his boat to area lakes to fish for crappie or bass with his friends and family. He loved animals and raised a wide variety on his own. He had several types of birds, but his lifelong passion was show pigeons.
Rich was a self-appointed master breeder of Modenas and Kings. When not outdoors, he liked watching westerns and eating at restaurants. Fried chicken was a favorite from coast to coast. He helped “solve the world’s problems” in social circles at restaurants in Alton and Bunker Hill.
The center of his life, however, was his family and the happiness he experienced spending time with them.
He was preceded in death by his birth parents, Mario “Pete” and Josephine “Pina” Finn; his adoptive parents Pete and Louisa Manar; one brother and three sisters, Charles Manar, Angie Epperheimer, Edith Herren, and Lucy Ament; three half-brothers and two half-sisters, Robert Finn, Jerry Watts, John Watts, Jo Ann Baldwin, and Kathy Sansone; three brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law, Bruno Rubis, Eppie Epperheimer, John Ament, and Martha Manar; two uncles and one aunt, John Schenato, Joseph Schenato, and Nellie Hartman; and a lifelong friend, John Schenato.
Surviving are his wife of 49 years, Carla, nee Miller, Finn, whom he married on November 28, 1964; two sons, Mark Finn and Heath Finn; two daughters-in-law, Jacqueline Finn and Darlene Finn; three grandchildren, Nicholas Finn, Nathan Finn, and Clayton Finn; one brother and one sister, Bill Manar and Rose Rubis; one brother-in-law, Gerald Herren; and nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 4, 2014, at Kravanya Funeral Home, Bunker Hill, IL. A prayer service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2014, at Kravanya Funeral Home, Bunker Hill, IL, with Rev. George Radosevich officiating. A private family burial will follow in Caseyville, IL.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or to BJC Hospice.
Kravanya Funeral Home in Bunker Hill, IL 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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