Former Mayor of Normal, who helped land car plant to town, dies at age 91 [Video]

NORMAL (25News Now) – Richard Godfrey, who led Normal as mayor during an economically thriving, but also a volatile nine-year period, has died. He was 91.

Godfrey’s lengthy obituary said he lived a “magical life”. He was Normal’s mayor from 1976 to 1985 and worked 27 years at Illinois State University where he served as Director of Institutional Advancement, Director of Public Affairs and President of the ISU Foundation.

He also was Director of International Public Relations for the Eureka Company, which used to make vacuums in Bloomington-Normal. In retirement, Godfrey lived with his wife of 70-years, Mary Jean, in the famous twin Marina City Towers in Chicago’s River North.

Godfrey is credited with creating Normal’s first economic development program, and helped convince Mitsubishi executives to build what became known as Diamond Star Motors, a joint venture between the Japanese firm and Chrysler. The factory in west Normal is now home to electric vehicle …