Lyle Price was a four-term mayor in the city of Gilman. But he wasn't just the city administrator. He was a friend to all and a devoted civic leader.

The community is mourning the death of Lyle Price. He died Saturday at Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka. Lyle Price was 71.

Price served as Mayor of Gilman from 1993 thru 2009. City officials say Lyle reached out to everyone community-wide.

Lyle owned and operated Price's Barbershop for 49 years, starting the business with his cousin Bill Price in 1966. The barbershop has been home-base for so many pranks, wild stories and just good-old friends.

Lyle was a U.S. Postal Carrier in Gilman for 37 years, a proud member of the Gilman Fire Department, and co-founded the Slow Boys Tractor Club. The Slow Boys Club has taken a lead role in the every-five-year Gilman Old Boys & Girls Reunion. Lyle served as Grand Marshall of the Old Boys & Girls Parade in 2010.

Coffee with friends, car-cruises with his dog, and wild fishing stories were part of what Lyle was all about. Lyle Price never met a stranger. The smile was contagious, always ready for a joke and a prank. And yes, he was "The Best Grandpa."

Funeral arrangements are through the Knapp Funeral Home in Onarga. Visitation is Thursday 10/1 3-9 pm. A funeral service is Friday 10/2 at 11 am at Onarga Cemetery.

Lyle leaves behind his wife, Jean, five children including daughters Michele Schroeder, Jenny Schunke, Kerry Cohen and Heather Harbison, his son Jim Price and brothers Fred and Dr. Nicholas Price. Nine grandkids also survive.

94.1 WGFA