Saline County Treasurer Jeff Murrie dies
SALINE COUNTY - Saline County is mourning the loss of its county treasurer, Jeff Murrie, who passed away just after midnight Saturday, according to Saline County Coroner Jerry Doug Watson.
He was 59.
Watson said he was called to the Murrie residence by Saline County Central Dispatch at 11:41 p.m. Friday and pronounced Murrie deceased at 12:15 a.m. Saturday.
Local officials say Murrie will be missed.
"Jeff was a pleasant person to work with and had a very positive attitude," County Board Chairman Jay Williams said. "I never really met him when he was down. He always would do what was right by the people and he was sincere about that."
State Sen. Dale Fowler said he was mourning Murrie's passing.
"I was saddened to hear of the unexpected passing of Saline County Treasurer Jeff Murrie. He was a dedicated public servant who I was fortunate to get to know and work with over the years," Fowler said. "He will be missed. My prayers and thoughts are with his family during this time."
State Rep. Patrick Windhorst, R-Metropolis, also lamented the loss of Murrie.
"This weekend, I was saddened to hear of the passing of Saline County Treasurer Jeff Murrie. I had the pleasure of getting to know Jeff over the past several years and see his dedication to the community he served," Windhorst said in a statement on social media. "Please keep his family in your prayers."
Murrie was an active member of the Town & Country Lions, and the organization posted a statement in memoriam on its Facebook page.
"It's with sadness in our heart to tell of the passing of our friend and fellow Lion, Lion Jeff Murrie, our Saline County treasurer. Lion Jeff has been a big part of our Lions Club and will be greatly missed," the group wrote.
Williams said he is uncertain when a replacement for Murrie will be made. The decision rests in the hands of Saline County's Republican precinct committeemen.
"I hope we can put someone in there who will do a good job, but we're never going to replace Jeff Murrie," Williams said.