Thelma Nadine Tilley, age 89, died Friday, July 12, 2019 at the Leonardville Nursing Home in Leonardville, Kansas.
She was born on August 4, 1929 in Oak Grove, Missouri, the daughter of Arnold and Jewel May Melvin Allen. She attended schools in the area and graduated from Bethany (Missouri) High School with the class of 1947, where she lettered all four years in volleyball.
Thelma was united in marriage to Harry Jene Tilley on September 28, 1947, in Saint Joseph, Missouri. He preceded her in death on July 25, 1996. They made their home in Bethany, Missouri before moving to Manhattan, Kansas in 1964.
Thelma was a devoted wife and mother, and worked raising her family. She also worked in retail at TG&Y and the McCall Pattern Company. She was an avid sports fan and loved to attend her sons’ baseball and football games. She was a loyal follower of the Kansas State Wildcats and the Kansas City Royals. She was a talented and competitive bowler, and she and Harry enjoyed playing in local leagues. The family was fond of camping. Thelma had a soft spot in her heart for animals, and spoiled her tiny poodles.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings Everett Allen and Leona Evelyn Allen Peterson, infant twin daughters Marla and Karla Tilley, and sons John Lee Tilley and Allen Jene Tilley.
Thelma is survived by her children: son Andy J. Tilley and his wife Dinah of Wamego, Kansas, daughters, Ila Jeannette Haile of Topeka, Kansas and Jewell Annette Bojorquez of Ogden, Kansas; daughter-n-law, Cindy Tilley of Pratt, Kansas, four grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her friends at the Leonardville Nursing Home who provided such loving care to her and her family, especially during her last week.
Thelma requested that no services be held. Private burial has taken place. The family suggests memorial contributions in memory of Thelma to the Leonardville Nursing Home. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com