Calling his impact on the state of Illinois "incalculable," hundreds came to Springfield in Saturday to say their final farewells to former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar.

The funeral service was held at Central Baptist Church in Springfield.

In a world of deep partisanship, Edgar was lauded by his fellow Republicans and also by Democrats as a leader with great integrity.

"I've been around politics for 35 years," former U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood said at the funeral. "Jim Edgar is the gold standard for public service, for honesty, and for integrity."

Illinois' political powerhouses came to remember their gold standard on Saturday. Edgar, a Republican, died with deep admiration from those on both sides of the political aisle.

Along with a flawless reputation and a legacy of finding common ground, Edgar is remembered as a leader with a penchant for reminding successors of something.

"'Remember, your first and most important job is to pass a balanced budget every year,' so every time we passed a balanced budget, like an excited kid to a parent, I'd say, 'Look! I did what you said I should do! I passed a balanced budget," said Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, "and then he'd say, 'Good job, now do it again.'"

"He assembled one of the most racially and ethnically diverse staffs in cabinet we've ever seen," said former Edgar staffer Felicia Norwood. "There were also diverse perspectives, and notably, more women in leadership than had ever served in those roles before."

Generations of Edgars spoke, as the former governor's widow, Brenda, listened from the front row.

"For us, he was Papa Jim — or as he first suggested we called him, grandfather sir," said Edgar's grandson, James "Dakota" Edgar.

"So Dad, we are sure you're watching from above, and we hope you know how much you are loved, and how much we'll miss you," said Edgar's son, Brad Edgar.

Edgar died last weekend at the age of 79 from pancreatic cancer.

The two-time Illinois Governor and Secretary of State only lost one election in his career.

Many at the funeral said they believe Edgar's legacy will be the Edgar Fellows — a program at the University of Illinois that helps identify, foster, and develop the leaders of tomorrow.

 "Thank you, governor," said Norwood. "We're deeply grateful, forever changed, and incredibly blessed to have you as our leader."

The final words at Saturday's Springfield memorial were reserved for the man himself — recorded after his cancer diagnosis.

"I had a great, great ride. Maybe I'll get two or three years, maybe get five years, maybe they'll find a silver bullet in that three to five years," Edgar said in the video clip. "I can't complain. I've had a good run."

Edgar's body lay in state at the Illinois State Capitol rotunda in Springfield on Friday. 

Edgar's political career  

Edgar, a lifelong Republican, first entered Illinois state politics as a young man in 1968. He first served as a legislative intern with the staff of Illinois Senate President Pro Tempore W. Russell Arrington, who was described on Edgar's website as his "first and most influential mentor."

Edgar ran unsuccessfully for the Illinois House of Representatives in 1974, but ran again and won in 1976. He was reelected in 1978.

Early in 1981, after Illinois Secretary of State Alan Dixon was elected to the U.S. Senate, Edgar was appointed to fill the vacancy. He was elected to full terms in that office in 1982 and 1986, and was credited with a crackdown on drunken driving in Illinois in that role.

He also pushed for mandatory car insurance for all drivers.

When Illinois Gov. Jim Thompson decided not to run for a fifth term in 1990, Edgar ran for governor and won, defeating Illinois Attorney General Neil Hartigan, who ran on the Democratic side.

Edgar ran successfully for a second term in 1994, carrying all but one of Illinois' 102 counties.