St. Clair County Board member, longtime Belleville alderman Paul Seibert dies
St. Clair County Board member and longtime Belleville alderman Paul Seibert, 89, died over the weekend, after 41 years of public service.
Seibert was one of Belleville’s longest-serving aldermen. He was elected in 1979 and served in that role for 38 years, until 2017, when he was appointed to the St. Clair County Board to succeed his wife, Dixie Seibert, after she passed away. He was elected to a full term in 2018.
Belleville Mayor Mark Eckert said Seibert was an alderman who did “whatever it took” to serve his ward. He said his former constituents remember his dedication even today.
“He believed in serving his constituents tirelessly,” Eckert said. “He did whatever it took. He was persistent. If people needed something or if he thought there was something he could get done for them, he was consistent at staying on it.”
Eckert worked alongside Seibert as both an alderman and mayor. He said Seibert was a trusted advisor and friend who always gave honest advice.
“He was always straightforward and was very supportive,” Eckert said. “If I needed him or if I had issues I needed to talk over with him, he was always responsive..”
Seibert chaired the Streets and Grades Committee from 2009-2017, and during his years under the Eckert administration, sat on the electoral board, police and fire committee, personnel and strategic planning committee and others.
Eckert said people who live in Ward 6 still talk about Seibert’s service.
“He’s going to be missed by the people of Ward 6,” he said.
County Board Chairman Mark Kern also lauded Seibert’s years of public service, calling him one of his best friends over the past 25 years. Seibert was an alderman during Kern’s time on the Belleville City Council and as mayor, before Kern was elected to the county board.
Kern said he learned how to be a better public servant working alongside Seibert.
“Paul taught me how to best represent constituents,” Kern said. “He personified the best of what an old- fashioned political figure represents. He was quiet but represented the needs of his constituents.”
Kern said Seibert brought all of his years of experience on the Belleville City Council to the county board where he “carried the torch” for his late wife.
“They truly cared for their constituents,” he said. “They were a team. And when the team got split up when Dixie passed away, Paul carried the torch for Dixie. “
Seibert served as the chair of the board’s Public Safety Committee and sat on the board’s environmental and executive committees, according to the county’s website.
The city’s announcement about Seibert did not include the cause of death. A private ceremony will be held at Geroge Renner & Sons Funeral Home in Belleville.
Seibert will be buried in Valhalla Gardens of Memory.
This story was originally published July 6, 2020 at 12:02 PM.