Eva Cloyd has been the “heart and soul” of Portage Township for nearly 40 years.
Cloyd, the township’s chief bookkeeper, who worked under six Portage Township Trustees during her tenure, was recently honored by current trustee Brendan Clancy for her hard work and dedication.
“She is the most amazing person you will ever meet,” Clancy said of Cloyd.
Cloyd began working for then trustee Bruce Creasy in 1982 as a clerk. Six months later, when the township’s bookkeeper retired, she took the position.
“I like working for the people. I worked under six great trustees. I enjoyed my work, I loved what I was doing,” she said.
Cloyd not only served as the township’s chief bookkeeper, but became a resource for township trustees across the state who would often call her and ask her advice.
“I used to have trustees call me. They just got elected and needed to know how we did something. We are so unique with our township,” she said, adding Portage Township not only administers financial assistance, but operates a park system, cemetery, senior center and fire department. “They knew I’d know about a (state) code or something and they would give me a call.”
Cloyd was honored earlier this year by the Indiana Township Association with the Neighbors Helping Neighbors award for her work.
Clancy recently presented her with a proclamation and declared Dec. 17 as Eva Cloyd Day in the township.
“Any success we’ve had as a township, she’s had her fingerprint on it,” he said.
During her 40 years with the township, she and her husband Steve also raised three daughters and were active in various organizations in the city. She now has eight grandchildren and intends to be active in their lives during her retirement.
“It is time for me to turn over the job to someone else,” said Cloyd about her decision to retire.