Obituaries
Death of George A. Miklos
George was born on December 22, 1934, in Benld the youngest son of Joseph Miklos and Mary Kozak Miklos. He was a graduate of Benld High School. He attended the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy. George was active in multiple clubs including the Student Council, the St Patrick’s club and was an awardee from the Board of Trustees for Student Publications. George graduated in 1957 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
George completed the United States Air Force Aviation Cadet program. His first day in the Air Force was on April 17, 1957. His assignment to Biloxi Air Force Base brought the marriage to the love of his life, Mary Cannon.
George proudly served at many Air Force installations including the Pentagon and the National Security Administration. He was the first Electronics Warfare Officer assigned to Nellis AFB and as such taught classes in electronic warfare. In 1967, he was assigned to the 357th TFW at the Royal Takhli Air Force Base during the Vietnam War.
George flew in an F105 as EWO “Buda Bear” flying one hundred missions over the Red River Valley. He was a proud original member of the Wild Weasel Association and of the River Rats Association. His awards include 3 Silver Star medals for Valor, 6 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 14 Air Medals, Expeditionary Medals, and Presidential unit citations, among others. In addition, George was a Master Navigator. He concluded his military service on July 1, 1977, with more than 3,000 flying hours in various aircraft.
George completed a degree in accounting and worked at the Boeing Company in the military engineering and accounting sections retiring in 1995. He remained active with the American Legion and the Military Retiree Association.
George’s family includes his loving wife of 63 years, Mary; son, Michael and wife Lisa; daughter, M. Elizabeth and husband Vern; daughter, Sharon and husband Jim; and daughter, Jo; and nine grandchildren, multiple great-grandchildren and extended family.
George was a devoted and quiet man of faith. He attended St Maximillian Kolbe Parrish at McConnell AFB. George is now in the loving arms of God as he passed quietly on May 7, 2022.
A rosary was held on May 13 at Smith Mortuary in Derby, KS. Mass of Christian burial was held on May 14 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Mulvane, KS.
Donations may be made to Society of Wild Weasels, P.O. Box 877, Silver Springs, MD 20918.
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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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