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.

Beverly Kay Brown, 82, of Gillespie, died at Gillespie Health and Rehab Center, Gillespie, on Friday, March 8, 2024, at 8:45 am. She was born October 4, 1941, in Litchfield, to Mario Meldi and Opal Olston Meldi. She married Bob Brown on October 30, 1976.

She worked for the State of Illinois in title transferring and data processing. Beverly enjoyed reading and was an avid reader of People’s magazine.

She is survived by her spouse, Bob Brown of Gillespie, children, Joell (Sid) Flyte of Edwardsville, Jackie (Larry) Fear of The Villages, FL, Kathy Giesler of Mattoon, Kim (Joe) Brittin of Springfield, Jane (Greg) Hallum of Ishpeming, MI, Lori Brown of Temecula, CA, grandchildren, Breanna Leake, Dominique Flyte, Addie Flyte, Bradley Fear, David Fear, Brad Brittin, Melissa Casad, Amanda Kozak, Jaime Galloway, Jaimee Dobson, Jenny Knight, Emily Nault, Elyssa Gregurash, Erin Baldini, many great-grandchildren, brothers, Ron (Corky) Meldi of Nitro, WV, and sisters-in-law, June Swan and Loni Cloyd. Beverly was preceded in death by her parents, grandson, Jedd Hallum, and brother-in-law, Preston Brown.

Friends may call on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm. Funeral services are Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 1:00 pm at Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie. Burial will be at Benld Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to SS Simon and Jude Church. Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, is in charge of the arrangements.