Calvin Edward Tilley

Calvin Edward Tilley, known as "Ed" to many of his friends and loved ones, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, passed away on February 23, 2023 at the age of 89. He was born in Kane, Wyoming, to Loren Calvin Tilley and Leona May Hoffman Tilley on July 28, 1933 and was the eldest of eleven children. Though raised in Deaver, Wyoming, Ed made Lovell, Wyoming, his home and there raised his four children: Herbie, April, Doug, and Holly. Ed inherited his father's gift for mechanical engineering and machinery maintenance. He worked his way up to Beet-End Foreman before retiring after decades spent with Great Western Sugar in Lovell, Wyoming. Ed also had a talent for making conversation with anyone he met and a keen mind for details, able to recall and recount everything from grocery store prices to the ideal route from home to his local Aldi. Following his marriage to Helen Heman, Ed moved to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and built a rich life there beside the Mississippi. He was a dedicated member of Lions Clubs International, having joined May 1, 1975 and transferred to the Cape Girardeau Evening Lions Club on April 1, 1996. For his commitment to Lions and service to his community, he received the coveted Melvin Jones Award in Wyoming and Progressive Melvin Jones Award in Cape Girardeau. In 2013, Ed also received the designation and title of Lifetime Member. Travel was one of Ed's great joys. He made lifelong memories with his family on camping trips to Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains and Sunlight Basin, cross country trips to visit his children with his wife Helen in their silver Avion camper, and the yearly trek to work at the National High School Rodeo Finals. Ed also enjoyed participating in the annual Lovell Days celebration by dressing as a frontiersman. The rest of the family is especially grateful to Ed's step-daughter Deborah Browne and her husband John, who cared for Ed in his last days and offered their time and care to him throughout the preceding years. Ed was predeceased by his wife, Helen Tilley, his son, Herbie Tilley, and brothers Donnie and Jerry Tilley, sisters Joyce Buster, Gloria Dudley, Charlene Schulz, son-in-law Terry Dorall and former wife, Laura Wegner. He is survived by his brothers, Earl (Karen), Melvin (Sherry), Dennis, and Marvin (Linda) Tilley, and his sister, Sherry (Curt) Nelson. His memory also lives on with his children, April Dorall, Holly (Sheldon) Flom, and Douglas (Lisa) Tilley, step-daughter Deborah (John) Browne, step-son Kenneth (Lori), and his numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Services will be held at Ford and Sons Funeral Home on March 4th at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Ed's name to the Lions Clubs International or St. Jude Children's Hospital, both of which Ed cared passionately about. Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com. Ford & Sons Funeral Home - Mt. Auburn is in charge of arrangements.

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Calvin Edward Tilley

July 28, 1933 - February 23, 2023