Obituaries
Death of Viola D. Fey-Vesper
Viola D. Fey-Vesper, 98 years old of Staunton, died peacefully at Heritage Health Care Center in Staunton on February 14, 2021. She was born in Edwardsville on May 15, 1922, the first daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph and Dorothy (Dannenberg) Fischer.
She was baptized, attended, and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville. She married Otto E. Fey on June 22, 1946, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Worden. He passed away on July 21, 1986. She later married Kempton G. “Kempy” Vesper at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton, Illinois on September 2, 1988. He passed away on January 7, 2005.
She worked as a butcher at Kroger’s and waitress at the North End Tavern in her younger years. Later she was a nurse’s aide and then a Licensed Practical Nurse at Community Memorial Hospital in Staunton. She then became an office nurse for Dr. Lee Johnson and Dr. Dean Raft until she retired. After the passing of her first husband, she completed his term of office as the Staunton Township Supervisor. She loved to dance, play pinochle and enjoyed visiting with family and friends.
She is survived by one daughter, Judith Fey of Glen Carbon; three sons, Edward “Butch” (Ginger) Fey, James “Fid” (Toni) Fey and Richard “Rick” (Kathy) Fey, all of Staunton; one step-daughter, Sherry (Don) Bade of Breese, Illinois; two step-sons, Garry Vesper of St. Louis, Missouri and Alan (Tami) Vesper of Maryville; nine grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; three great-step-grandsons; two great-great grandsons; three sisters, LaVerne Weisemann and Adelia Hosto of Staunton and Clara (Art) Thimsen of Westminster, Maryland; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides her husbands and parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Florian and Lloyd Fischer, and granddaughter, Denise Lynn Suhrenbrock of Edwardsville.
Private funeral services will be held at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton with burial at Memorial Park Cemetery in Staunton. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Zion Lutheran Church or School, Staunton or Make A Wish Foundation.
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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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Nancy Ilene Weller, 74, of Gillespie, died at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at 2:52 pm. She was born June 4, 1949, in Litchfield, to Charles Giller and Margaret Whitman Giller. She married Kenneth Raymond Weller, Sr., on August 17, 1968, in Litchfield. He preceded her in death on December 5, 2011.
She was a caregiver. Nancy loved horses, reading, and her grandchildren.
She is survived by her children, Chester (Katina) Weller of Gillespie, Luke Weller of Gillespie, Spring Weller (spouse, Phillip Benner) of Fowler, IN, 6 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, 5 brothers, and sisters.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, spouse, 4 brothers, and sisters.
No public services are scheduled. Memorials are suggested to Shriners Hospitals for Children. Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, is in charge of the arrangements.
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