Obituaries
Death of Deanna Demuzio
Deanna Demuzio, 77, of Carlinville, passed away on Tuesday, October 20, 2020.
Deanna was born on February 23, 1943, in St. Louis, MO and was raised on her family farm in Gillespie. She was the daughter of the late John and Virginia (Fuess) Clemonds. She graduated from Gillespie High School in 1961. On June 28th, 1962, Deanna married her high school sweetheart, the late Vince Demuzio.
Deanna had a rather unusual path for entering into public service. After high school, she went to Patricia Stevens Modeling School in St. Louis to become a Sears model, which she would boast of often. However, instead of being in the spotlight, she began working behind the scenes at her own bridal shop called The Inside Story where she could serve women in making their dreams come true. She found her true niche in serving others and went to work at Lewis and Clark Community College as a Curriculum Specialist.
In 2004, Deanna was appointed to serve as an Illinois Senator for the 49th District upon the passing of her husband, Vince. She was elected to her first term in November 2004. While a member of the Illinois Senate, Deanna was able to focus on issues close to her heart. She was especially proud of her contributions to education and healthcare.
Deanna was dedicated to improving education and developing education policy in Illinois. She championed mentoring programs for principals, preschool education, and created sufficient funding for local schools. Senator Demuzio also made it a priority to bring better healthcare opportunities to rural and under-serviced areas of the state. In recognition of her work as a dedicated voice for the people, Deanna received many awards and accolades through the years.
After leaving the Illinois Senate, Deanna had a short retirement from public service. Anyone familiar with Deanna knew she could not stay idle for long. She wanted to be fully involved with her community which she loved. She wanted to help solve as many problems as she could. So, she ran for Mayor of Carlinville in May 2013 and she was elected.
While acting as Mayor, Deanna was involved as a Board Trustee for Blackburn College and served as a member of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, Illinois Community Care Connection, the Carlinville Chamber of Commerce, Carlinville Christmas Market and the Municipal League’s Legislative Committee.
Deanna had many accomplishments in her life. But what she will be most remembered for is her dedication and love for her family, friends, faith and community.
Deanna is survived by her loving daughter, Stephanie (Patrick) Blair; her four grandchildren, Blake (Mallory) Demuzio, Brooke (Michael) Davis, Tristan Blair, and Gillian Blair; her three great-grandchildren, Cal Demuzio, Olivia Davis, and Reagan Davis; and her three sisters-in-law, Marlene Demuzio, Catherine (Pete) Visintin, and Donna (Jim) Burke; and her aunt Jackie Klaus.
Deanna was preceded in death by her husband, Vince Demuzio; her son, Bradley Demuzio, her parents, John and Virginia Clemonds; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Bernadette and David Hasquin.
Private family service will be held at SS. Mary and Joseph Catholic Church on Monday, October 26 at 11 a.m. with live stream available on YouTube here. At approximately 12:30 p.m., a family processional will start from the church heading west on Route 108 (East First South Street), go north on Center Street, go north toward Blackburn College, west on Wilson Street, then south on North Broad Street, east on East First South Street, then south on Route 4 to the cemetery just south of the Carlinville Country Club. Those wishing to pay their respects may line the procession route. A map of the procession route is available here.
Memorials are suggested to the Blackburn College Senators Vince and Deanna Demuzio Awards in Leadership Studies and Education, Carlinville or Macoupin County Animal Shelter, Carlinville.
Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the 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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