GIBSON CITY, Ill. (WCIA) — Health problems are forcing one man to step down from his job after decades of service, and officials aren’t sure if there will be someone to take his place.

Andy Tull has been Gibson City’s recycler for more than 20 years. Until recently, he and other volunteers worked tirelessly to fill up his trailer with tons of recyclables.

“Everybody knows that Andy comes to take the trailer away, but they do not know all the work that goes into it once the trailer leaves here,” City Council Recycling Board Chairperson Karen Kummerow said. “His children have pretty much said, ‘Dad you need to give it up, you know, it’s time.’”

His time helping the city reduce waste has come to an end as health problems persist.

“He called me up in the first part of January and he thought he was having a heart attack,” Kummerow said. 

Tull had a heart transpact about three years ago. Since then, he’s developed AFib and a respiratory infection.

The health concerns have put a sudden stop to his behind-the-scenes role that’s helped the City save more than 60 tons of recyclables from ending up in landfills. 

“He was devastated, he really was,” Kummerow said. “He just said, ‘I feel like I’m letting people down.’”

His retirement now has Gibson City wondering what to do next. Kummerow said no one has stepped up to fill Tull’s shoes, and large-scale companies are just too expensive for the City.

“It’s a very caring community,” Kummerow said. “They just want to be sure he’s okay and then the next question is: what do I do with my stuff? There aren’t very many people that are willing to take on a business like this.”

Tull’s career as the man who kept things from becoming trash made him one of the City’s treasures.

“He’s done it for a long time so that’s wonderful,” Kummerow said. “We have appreciated everything he’s done.”

If you want to help, you can contact the City.