Obituaries
Death of Richard Joseph Gausepohl
Richard Joseph Gausepohl, 79 of Staunton, passed away on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Heritage Health in Staunton surrounded by his family. He was born on February 2, 1943, in Decatur at St. Mary’s Hospital. At the age of 6 months, Rich was adopted from the Alton Catholic Children’s Home by Alfred & Ida (Hannig) Gausepohl.
Rich was a life-long member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Staunton. He received his elementary education at St. Michael’s Catholic School in Staunton and graduated from Staunton High School Class of 1961. He went on to attend Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville for two years and graduated from Worsham School of Mortuary Science in Chicago.
After working jobs in sales at Valley Steel and Earl Russell Steel, both located in Carlinville, and working for R.P. Lumber for several years, in 1986 Rich settled into his long-time career as a salesman for Aladdin Steel in Gillespie. He was very well-liked by all his co-workers and developed a number of long-standing personal relationships that exceeded his retirement in 2019.
Anyone who covered for Rich while he was out knew he also developed the same bond with his customers. To this day, many of his previous customers will ask “How is Rich doing?” when they call into the office. Rich had a unique way of connecting with people and it was apparent through feedback from those he worked with and for.
In his earlier years, Rich enjoyed fishing, target shooting, and bowling. He was an aficionado of classic cars and he could easily recall the make, model, and engine of any automobile pre-1970 on sight. He always enjoyed the time he could spend with his friends and loved ones. His family was by far the most important aspect of his life. Rich was an extremely generous person. His smile and laugh were infectious and for those that spent any time with him knew his joy was genuine. He was by the very definition “a friend to all” and will be dearly missed by his friends and family.
Rich married June Lea Hamilton on April 5, 1974, in Gillespie and she survives. Besides his wife, Rich is survived by a biological brother, Lonnie (Sheila) Page of Decatur; a biological sister, Dixie (Willard) Rucker of Decatur; son, Craig (Angela) Gausepohl of Port Charlotte, Florida; son, Christopher (Kathleen) Gausepohl of Staunton; granddaughter, Keya (Jason) Payton of Tulsa, Oklahoma; granddaughter, Kayla (Kyle) Blom of Litchfield; granddaughter, Chloe Gausepohl of Tampa, Florida; four-legged grandson, Sir Winston (his best canine buddy); great-grandson, Kaleb Crabtree of Litchfield; and great-grandson, Deklan Blom of Litchfield.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred & Ida.
Funeral services are to be held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Staunton on Thursday, August 11, 2022, at 11 AM with visitation one hour prior to Mass from 10 to 11 AM. Burial will take place immediately following at Memorial Park Cemetery in Staunton. A luncheon will be held.
At Rich’s request, memorials may be directed to Mass offerings for himself at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Staunton or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. 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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