Commissioner dies after being stricken at home

Fourth District county commissioner Dave Crofoot, 78, died Friday after being stricken at his home in the 800 block of S. Roosevelt St. in Marion.

Marion ambulance was called to his home at 11:02 a.m. because he was not feeling well. He stopped breathing after ambulance attendants arrived.

They, Marion firefighters, and an ambulance supervisor helped administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation before the ambulance rushed him on an emergency basis to St. Luke Hospital, where he died.

His death was confirmed Saturday afternoon in a posting on a Western Associates social media account by members of his family.

In addition to serving as a commissioner since 2019, he was co-owner and an executive with the advertising specialty firm.

Services are pending. Details will be provided as they become available.

He was a candidate for re-nomination to another four-year term in the upcoming Aug. 4 Republican primary.

The remainder of his current term will be filled by whomever Republican precinct committeemen and committeewomen in his district select at a special meeting.

Under law, that meeting must be convened within 21 days of County Clerk Ashley Herpich notifying Rose Davidson, the county’s Republican Party chairman, of his death.

Unless there are delays in notification, the meeting is likely to occur before the primary election.

Remaining candidates in that election are Florence-area farmer Tom Britain, former commissioner Dan Holub, sheriff’s wife Amy Soyez, and county lake improvement district president Greg Wyatt. Farmer Randy Eitzen is unopposed on the primary ballot for the Democratic nomination.

Crofoot’s district consists of Centre, Doyle, Fairplay, Gale, and Wilson Townships along with Marion South precinct and both Florence precincts.

Although surrounded by areas within the Fourth District, Marion North precinct is part of the Second District instead.

Crofoot was chairman of the board of county commissioners at the time of his death. Vice chairman Kent Becker is expected to assume those responsibilities when commissioners next meet.

Their next meeting is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Monday.