Margaret Mell’s illness and tragic death appears to have forced Gov. Blagojevich and Alderman Mell to bury the hatchet.

Governor Blagojevich was a pallbearer Wednesday, and according to close advisors, his bitter family feud with Alderman Mell over political and financial differences has been on the mend in recent weeks as the family came together in the final weeks of Mrs. Mell’s illness.

“I think there was a realization by everybody that life is way too short to be spent being at odds,” said Ald. Bill Banks, family friend.

“All families have troubles at times, and I hope for them that things have gotten better. I think that is important,” said State Rep. Tom Cross, family friend.

The entire family reportedly got together for the first time in two years on Thanksgiving when it was clear that Mrs. Mell wouldn’t make it to another holiday. The governor took an active role in comforting Alderman Mell after the service, so it is likely that Mell will be attending the second Blagojevich inauguration next month, and his aldermanic friends predict that he will stay in the city council for awhile, because City Hall provides him with a lot of support and comfort.

And during his eulogy, Ald. Mell seemed to indicate that the peace was permanent, in order to honor his wife’s memory.

It’s not the same house to walk into. But you know something? Both I and the kids will live the rest of our lives to make her very, very proud of us,” the alderman said.

[Comments closed and deleted at the request of family and friends of the families involved. I didn’t have time to monitor these things when I put this post up and I should’ve known better.]