Don Eden Dies at Age 85

You might not have always liked what he said, but you seldom had trouble knowing where he stood on an issue.

Long-time civic leader Don Eden died Thursday evening at his residence at The Glenwood.  He was 85.

Eden was a local businessman and member of various service clubs including President of the Effingham Elks Lodge and Effingham Kiwanis Club.  It was his work in government that gained him notoriety, though.  

Eden served on the Effingham County Board and also served as an Effingham city commissioner. He was twice unsuccessful in bids for mayor.  

Eden was termed a "curmudgeon" by another civic leader and often ended up on the opposite side of those in leadership in local government, even while serving with many of those government officials.  He was particularly opposed to Effingham's establishment of TIF districts and the city-county Enterprise Zone.

Eden, though, did much of his research using his own funds and would discuss at length his views with anyone willing to listen.

In addition to his city and county government service, Eden served on the St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital Board of Directors.

Don's obituary and funeral service information is located here.