Former West Chicago Mayor Rennels dies
The longest serving mayor in West Chicago history, A. Eugene Rennels, died late last week at the age of 80.
Friends and colleagues are remembering the former mayor and longtime resident as a staple of the community who knew everyone and just about everything that made West Chicago the way it is today.
Rennels first served the community as a member of the board of education for District 33 and later held the title of mayor from 1977 through 1989. In between those years, he was an alderman of the city's Second Ward and city treasurer.
"He pretty much knew everyone, and knew everybody by first name," said former mayor and current West Chicago Fire District Deputy Chief Steve Lakics. "He knew their kids, he knew their wife, he knew where they lived."
Rennels also served as a member and chair of the board of commissioners for the West Chicago Fire Protection District.
"He was well-educated on whatever he did," Lakics said. "He always made certain he knew what he was talking about."
Rennels died Thursday, less than a month after West Chicago Mayor Mike Kwasman died of a heart attack.
Alderman Ruben Pineda was appointed acting mayor Monday night.
"He's going to be greatly missed," Pineda said. "He did a lot for the community."
Former mayor and current state Rep. Mike Fortner said he could always turn to Rennels when he needed help tackling a problem.
"If there was an issue or development, I knew I could go to him and he could say 'Yeah, that was due to this person, here's what was going on at that time and here's why it is the way it is,'" Fortner said.
Rennels was also active in a number of civic organizations including the American Legion Post 300, Moose Lodge 400, the West Chicago and Aurora Rotary and the West Chicago Cable Communications Foundation.
He is survived by his wife, Carole, and sons, Michael, Timothy, Scott and Todd.
Visitation will be held Friday from 4 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. until time of service at 10 a.m. at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 155 N. Prince Crossing Road, West Chicago. Contributions in his memory may be made to St. Andrew's Lutheran Church.