Calvin Tilley

Calvin Edward Tilley of Cape Girardeau, known as "Ed" to many of his friends and loved ones, passed away Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, at the age of 89.

He was born in Kane, Wyoming, to Loren Calvin and Leona May Hoffman Tilley on July 28, 1933, and was the eldest of 11 children.

Although 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. Ed also had a talent for making conversation with anyone he met. He had a keen mind for details and was 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 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 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 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 stepdaughter, 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; son, Herbie Tilley; brothers, Donnie and Jerry Tilley; sisters, Joyce Buster, Gloria Dudley and 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; stepdaughter Deborah (John) Browne; stepson, Kenneth (Lori); and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 4, at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Ed's name to Lions Clubs International or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, both of which Ed cared passionately about.

Online condolences may be sent at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.