Obituaries
Death of William “Bill” Knop
William “Bill” Knop, 77 of Staunton, passed away on Thursday, November 4, 2021, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville. He was born in Litchfield on August 4, 1944, the son of the late John and Viola (Toeningsmeier) Knop.
He married Kay (Bradley) Knop on April 3, 1964, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton and she survives. Also surviving are his son, John (Jane) Knop of Adalaide, S. Australia; five grandchildren, Randy Blair, Sarah Knop (Kami), Madison & Jordan Knop, Ashlynn Razmus; and special in his heart, Bristyn & Daisy Razmus; sister, Caroline “Carrie” Meiers of Las Vegas, NV; brother, Richard Knop of Las Vegas, NV; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Dana (Knop) Blair; son, Steve Knop; and a nephew (son of his sister) Caroline (Knop) Meiers.
Bill graduated from Staunton High School with the Class of 1962. After graduation, he went to work at L.E. Sauer Machine Shop in St. Louis, MO as an operating milling and lathes worker. He also worked at Progressive Groceries (P.G.) Warehouse in Staunton as a bookkeeper, Colonial Baking Co. of Alton for 13 years as a bread truck delivery driver, and Owens Illinois/Nekossa Packaging Co. of Mt. Olive for 9 years holding an Operators Classification on machines. He later worked for National Refractories as a Sales Representative then went on to being a self-employed Sales Rep for Refractories until his retirement in 2017.
Bill worked as a volunteer EMT when Staunton Area Ambulance Service began for three years. He joined the Staunton Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter on June 1, 1966. He was treasurer of SVFD from 1969 to 1972, promoted to Captain from 1972 to 1974, Assistant Fire Chief from 1975 to 1993, and an active firefighter until 1994. In 1978, a Fire District was formed and Bill was the only Fire District President for 43 years from 1978 to 2021. His dedication to the Staunton Fire Department and his love and respect for his fellow firefighters was one of his biggest achievements.
He loved being at his Mississippi River house in Calhoun County, Hamburg for his enjoyment of fishing, boating, and being with his river friends and his family. Bill & Kay enjoyed many years of travel after retirement but their favorite place was Somaphore, S. Australia with their Aussi family.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to either Zion Lutheran Church of Staunton, Staunton Fire Department, or the Staunton Education Foundation. 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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