Obituaries
Death of Ronnie E. Slayden
Ronnie E. Slayden, 75 of Bunker Hill, died Saturday, February 18, 2017, at his residence. He was born on October 20, 1941, in Olive Branch, IL to the late Kerry L. Slayden and the late Kate Lee (Rowlett) Slayden. On December 8, 1962, he married the former Teddi Lane at the First United Methodist Church in Wood River. She survives.
He is also survived by one daughter and son in law, Becca and Kelley Marsh of Bunker Hill; grandchildren, Kira (spouse, Robert) Cowan of Tallassee, Alabama, Christopher (spouse, Nikki) Marsh of Wood River, Kelsey Marsh of Chicago and William Marsh of Bunker Hill; great-granddaughter, Jovie Rey Marsh of Wood River; sister, Clara Jackson of Dearborn, MI; brother, Pat Slayden of Wood River and many well-loved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by parents; two grandchildren, Eric Joseph Palmer and Brianna Renee Marsh; sisters, Shirley Ernat, Dorothy Slayden and Roberta Rigney; brothers, Billy Joe Slayden and Kerry Leland Slayden; half brothers, David, Hubert, Johny, Marvin, Ezra, Morris and Ray Slayden; and half-sister, Leata Slayden.
He was a union glazier and a member of Glaziers Local 513 of St Louis, MO. He spent the majority of his working years at Wood River Glass Company. He retired from glazing in 1998. He still continued his second job, farming, until retiring from it in 2002. His greatest joy was spending time with his family and friends. He also enjoyed spending time in the woods of his farm.
For a period of 25 years he had an annual hay ride and weenie roast. Everyone was welcome. There were no invitations. Everyone knew to just show up the Saturday after October 20 each year and a lot of people brought their friends with them. More than once he has met someone and they have said “Oh, I know you. I met you at your hay ride.” Sadly, the last one was a couple of years ago due to advancing age. He will be greatly missed by many.
Visitation will be at Kravanya Funeral Home, Bunker Hill on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, February 23, 2017, at 10 a.m. with Rev. Leroy Fahnestock officiating. Burial will be at Hand Cemetery in Dorchester Township, IL. The pallbearers will be Kelley Marsh, Christopher Marsh, Ed Slayden, Tim Gleason, Rob Chaney and Matthew Chaney.
Memorials may be made to BJC Hospice Foundation of Alton.
Kravanya Funeral Home, Bunker Hill 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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