Community Mourns Loss of Jersey County Chairman Gary Krueger

JERSEY COUNTY — Gary Krueger, the chairman of the Jersey County Board, died Tuesday morning, April 21, 2026, at his home, Jersey County Clerk Pam Warford confirmed Wednesday, April 22, 2026. He was 75.

Warford said Mark Wagner, the board’s vice chair, will assume the position.

“It is quite a shock to the community. He has been a great asset to the county,” Warford said. “He will be greatly missed both professionally and personally.”

Warford described a subdued atmosphere in county offices following Krueger’s death, calling the last couple of days “the weirdest days.”

Krueger, a returning member of the Jersey County Board who previously served as vice chairman, was born in Alton, Illinois. He graduated from Jerseyville High School and attended Western Illinois University for one semester.

He retired from the Illinois Department of Transportation and was a lifelong farmer. Krueger also served as a Mississippi Township trustee and as a member of the Jersey County Board of Review.

Krueger had served as Jersey County Republican Committee chairman and as a member of the Jersey County Rural Water Board and the Soil and Water Board. He was a past member of the Elks and the Moose.

Gary was appointed to the board in January 2015 to fill a vacancy due to a resignation. He ran and was elected in 2016, 2020, and 2022. He had served as vice chairman since 2020. He was elected as chair in December 2022. His name was on the ballot for another term in 2026.

On the county board, he chaired the Economic Development and Tourism, Liquor Control, and Personnel committees.

Krueger’s seat on the board has a term ending Nov. 30, 2026, and was on the ballot to run again, according to Warford.

Krueger and his wife, Rhonda, had three children, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

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