Finance Office dedicated to Ken Mundy’s memory

SYCAMORE – The Sycamore City Council and the city’s department heads honored former Sycamore mayor Ken Mundy on Monday night.

Mundy, 73, died Dec. 3 of esophageal cancer.

Mundy’s wife, Juanita, was there, with a white flower around her wrist. Her daughter, Rhonda, was there, too, as the city’s representatives held a ceremony before Monday’s City Council meeting. The office, which Mundy spent years in, was decorated with a framed photograph of Mundy and a saying he had: “Business people doing the people’s business.”

Juanita was appreciative of the gesture and said a few words during the ceremony, which included what she thinks he’d say.

“He was humble,” Juanita said. “He’s looking down now asking, ‘Why are you doing this?’”

While she noted her late husband’s humility, and how he might question having an office named after him, she saw how many people cared for him at his funeral.

“I know, from all 600 people that came through Saturday, the love that everybody had for him from all walks of life. It wasn’t just the who’s who of Sycamore. It was everybody. I just appreciate that everybody loved him as much as I did. After Rhonda leaves after Christmas, I’m gonna need a lot of support.”

Maggie Peck, the city’s human and administrative resources director, reassured Juanita that she and others were her family.

“We’ll be there for you,” Peck said.

Juanita talked about the dedication after the ceremony.

“I’m very proud of it,” she said. “He was humble. We all knew what he meant to this city.”

She called it “heartwarming” to see how many people loved Mundy.

Sycamore Mayor Curt called Mundy a close friend and a mentor before he read a proclamation honoring the former mayor, which highlighted Mundy’s career highlights.

“Whereas the former mayor, Ken Mundy, had a long career of public service to his country, as well as to the city of Sycamore,” Lang said.

Lang, who choked up a little while reading, announced in the proclamation that the city of Sycamore would honor Mundy’s memory the next 48 days – one for each year he provided to the city – by naming them “Ken Mundy Days.”

“This period starts Tuesday, fittingly honoring Mundy on Tuesday.”

City Manager Brian Gregory said Mundy, who was the city treasurer in 2003, opened the City Finance Office. Gregory talked about the honor for the life of the former mayor.

“It was a well-deserved honor,” he said. “Ken’s somebody who’s had a great impact on our community, and this was just a small way to recognize his service.”

Peck had some kind words to say about Mundy.

“He was just a very special man,” Peck said. “Very unique. You won’t see a lot like him. He’s like a rare penny.”