Mack Hollowell, the Eastern Board of Trustees’ first chairman and an “ardent supporter” of Eastern, died of natural causes Wednesday morning at his winter home in Scottsdale, Ariz., said Jerald Bennett, of the Harper-Swisher Funeral Home. Hollowell was 81.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Wesley United Methodist Church, 2260 4th St., with the interment to follow at Roselawn Cemetery.

A native and longtime resident of Charleston, Mr. Hollowell was named by Eastern in 1995 as a member of the “Centennial 100,” the 100 individuals who most influenced Eastern’s first century.

After earning his master’s degree from the University of Illinois-Chicago College of Medicine, Mr. Hollowell served in the Army Medical Corps during World War II. Hollowell then returned to his hometown to practice family medicine for the next 46 years.

During that time, he was instrumental in raising money for the Charleston Memorial and Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center Hospitals and even suggested the latter’s name, a Times-Courier obituary said.

In 1996, Mr. Hollowell was appointed by former Gov. Jim Edgar to the Eastern Board of Trustees. He also became the Board’s first chairman that year, serving in that position until his resignation last August.

Edgar, who as a boy was one of Mr. Hollowell’s many patients, said Mr. Hollowell provided a great example for others.

“Personally, it’s a loss, but it’s also a loss for the entire community and for Eastern,” Edgar said. “He was busy in his own right, but he always had time for the community.”

Eastern President Carol Surles said while serving on the board, Mr. Hollowell was highly respected by his fellow trustees for his integrity, candor, experience and sound judgment.

“The Eastern Illinois University campus community and the EIU Board of Trustees mourn the loss of our friend and one of the university’s most ardent supporters,” Surles said in a press release. “His loyalty and deep affection for Eastern will be fondly remembered.”

Ray Serati, a spokesman for Gov. George Ryan, said Ryan was thankful for Mr. Hollowell’s work with Eastern.

“Certainly, (Gov. Ryan’s) prayers go out to Dr. Hollowell’s family,” Serati said.