Springfield, IL  (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Clyde Bunch, a dedicated servant of Sangamon County for decades, passed away last week at the age of 88. He was the longest-serving member of the Sangamon County Board, holding his seat for an impressive 46 years. He was also the longest serving county board member in the State of Illinois, according to Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter.

“A man with a heart of gold and a twinkle of mischief in his eye, Clyde’s hallmark was his consistent focus on getting good work done without partisan rancor.  In a long career he worked on virtually every major Sangamon County project from road construction to assistance with utility bills. Perhaps his single favorite project was the construction of the juvenile center which he championed and daily supervised. More recently he spent part of every day supervising a portion of the center into the community’s long sought location the for Helping Hands homeless shelter.  He was the board’s living link to its past who never lost his focus on providing for the future.  Although his death was not unexpected my fellow board member share with me the profoundest sense of loss at his passing.” – Andy Van Meter

In addition to his political career, Bunch was a veteran of the Army National Guard and spent 30 years working for the Springfield Department of Public Health.

His community service included efforts with St. Martin de Porres, Friend-In-Deed, and Make-A-Wish. He is survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Visitation is set for Dec. 13 from 5-7 p.m. with funeral service to be held Dec. 14 at 10 a.m., both at Vancil-Murphy Funeral Home.

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