Mattoon Mayor Tim Gover Dies

Mattoon Mayor Tim Gover died Thursday morning due to what officials said were lingering health issues.

Gover was born and raised in Mattoon and remained to raise his family while working for Eastern Illinois University, where he retired after 32 years of teaching. A statement from the City of Mattoon read that Gover "throughout his years of residence had been a champion of promoting both the City of Mattoon and Coles County."

Gover was a member of many community organizations and boards and served as Vice-President of the Illinois Municipal League.

Mayor Gover was elected as a city commissioner to the Mattoon City Council in April 2009 and became Acting Mayor in April 2010 after the resignation of Mayor David Cline. Mayor Gover was then elected to the office in April 2011 and re-elected in 2013 and 2017.

Finance Commissioner Preston Owen is the mayor pro-tem until an acting mayor is appointed.