The daughter of Franz Wilhelm "Frank" Willenburg and Mary Alice Kinder, "Tillie" was baptized at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Brussels, Calhoun County, Illinois. Her maternal grandfather, Frederick Kinder, had been one of the church founders.

Tillie married Louis Meseke on 15 Jan 1901 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church. Their attendants were George Willenburg and Elizabeth "Lizzie" Moerlein.

Tillie and Louis moved in with his parents, Henry and Wilhelmine Meseke. The only Meseke son, Louis eventually took over the farm.

As the family grew, rooms were added on to the Meseke farm house. Louis and Tillie raised 8 children, and, like so many others at the time, Tillie never owned a baby bed, high chair or bottle.

After reaching adulthood, several of the Meseke boys moved to St. Louis County, Missouri. "Bud", who never married, stayed at home and helped his father run the farm until he was drafted into the army during World War II. Tragically, Bud was killed in action on 19 Nov 1943. [Please click here for additional information.]

After Bud's death, the Mesekes left the farm and moved to a small home near their youngest daughter, Freda. Her husband took over the Meseke family farm thereafter.

Forever deeply saddened by Bud's death in the war, Louis died in 1956. More than 7 years later, Tillie passed away at Alton Memorial Hospital due to cancer. She was 79 years and 7 months old at the time of her death.

Tillie was survived by 4 sons, Henry, Louis, George and Oscar; 3 daughters, Bertha, Oleta and Freda; 11 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and 1 sister, Dena Brands.

Visitation was held at the Imming Funeral Home in Brussels. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. on the afternoon of 13 Nov 1963 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Brussels. Tillie was buried next to her husband, Louis.

Children: 5 sons, 3 daughters.

Mother of:
Henry August "Heinie" Meseke
Louis Albert Carl "Louie" Meseke
George William Meseke
Bertha Marie Meseke Arnold
Oscar Fred Meseke
Otto Horace "Bud" Meseke
Oleta Dorothy Meseke Freand
Freda Rose Meseke Robeen

Tillie's siblings:
August F. Willenburg
Louis Jacob Willenburg
Christina Willenburg Hattemar
Bertha Augusta E. Willenburg Fredrickson
Albert Willenburg
Henry Willenburg
George Willenburg
Dora Willenburg
Dena Charlotte Willenburg Brands

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Obituary excerpts:

OBITUARY OF MRS. TILLIE MESEKE

The people of the entire community in which she lived were saddened when they learned Sunday evening, Nov. 10, that Mrs. Tillie Meseke had passed away at Memorial Hospital, Alton, Ill., following several months of painful illness during which time everything that good doctors could do was done and with all of her children at her bedside constantly she daily grew weaker. She had been hospitalized since Oct. 12.

Mrs. Tillie Willenburg Meseke, widow of Louis Meseke, who preceded her in death in January 1956, was the mother of eight children, three daughters and five sons. All survive except her son, Otto, who gave his life in the service of his country while doing overseas duty. This Gold Star mother had celebrated her 79th birthday Apr. 10, 1963.

In January 1951, Mr. and Mrs. Meseke had the great pleasure of celebrating their Golden Wedding and during their golden years they built a new house, leaving the old farm home so as to be near their son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Robeen, who gave them constant attention and bestowed upon them every kindness.

Mrs. Meseke was always in a cheerful mood, a busy person and one who thoroughly enjoyed her life. It was her desire never to be idle so she spent many hours with needle work and kept her home immaculate. One could really say she was 79 years "young".

Born in the community in which her entire life was spent she will be greatly missed by all. Being baptized in infancy in St. Matthew's Lutheran Church at Brussels, she lived and died in that faith.

Burial was beside her husband in the Lutheran Cemetery.

Besides her surviving seven children she leaves to mourn her passing one sister, Mrs. Otto Brands, many grandchildren, great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

(Calhoun News; Nov 1963)

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Memoriam article, published on the first anniversary of Tillie's death:

IN MEMORY of our mother and grandmother, Mrs. Tillie Meseke, who passed away one year ago, November 10, 1963.

In our heart there is a picture,
More precious than silver and gold,
It's a picture of our mother,
Whose memory will never grow old.
To those who have a mother,
Treat her with loving care,
Because you'll never know your sorrow,
Until you see her vacant chair.
She suffered patiently and long,
Her hope was bright, her faith was strong.
The peace of Jesus filled her breast,
And in His arms, she sank to rest.

Sadly missed by
All who loved her.

(Alton Evening Telegraph; 10 Nov 1964; p. B-6)
Note: All spelling, capitalization and punctuation marks in articles are exactly as they appeared in the original text.