Richard W. Tillstrom, aged 96, of Grand Rapids, died Sunday, March 23, 2008 and passed into the presence of his Lord and Savior.
Dick was born in Benton Harbor, MI on May 26, 1911, the son of Bert and Alice (Burr) Tillstrom. He attended DePauw University, following which he worked as a salesman for several food companies. He retired after working several years as Station Public Affairs Director at WOOD T.V. where he and Andy Rent hosted the Captain Woody Show.
Through his work at WOOD T.V. Dick was involved with many community organizations and projects. He also hosted, and was the puppeteer for, the Tillstrom's Little People Show in Detroit. He and his wife, Fran, owned and operated the Cashmere Shop on W. Leonard St. for 20 years.
He was a long time active member of First United Methodist Church, a member of the West Side Optimist Club and the Grand Rapids Press Club. He was a man of great humor and greatly enjoyed his hobbies as a model train enthusiast, a percussion musician and puppeteer.
Dick was preceded in death by his first wife, Miriam Tillstrom, and by his brother, Burr Tillstrom.
Surviving are his wife of 43 years, Fran Tillstrom; his children, Susan and Larry Franklin of Farwell, MI, Richard P. and Marty Tillstrom of TX, Bevan and Rick Laird of WI; step-children, Joan and Robert Burger of IL, Lana McBride of Holland, MI; nine grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, March 29th, at First United Methodist Church with his pastor, Rev. Gary Haller, officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the memorial service. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery. The family is most grateful to Porter Hills Health Care Center for the loving care he received from them. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Hospice of Michigan or a charity of one's choice. The family is being served by Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Service
-Grand Rapids Press, The (MI) - Thursday, March 27, 2008
.................................................
Census 1930
Home in 1930: Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA
Household Members Age Relationship
Bert Tillstrom 38 Head b MI
Alice Tillstrom 38 Wife b MI
*Richard Tillstrom 18 Son
Burr Tillstrom 12 Son
...........................................
1) Cook Co, Il Marriage Index
Name: Richard M. Tillstrom
Marriage Date: 19 Jun 1934
Spouse: Miriam Pearson
Marriage Location: Cook County, IL
.......................................
WWII Draft Card
Name: Richard William Tillstrom
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 29
Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
Birth Date: 26 May 1911
Birth Place: Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA
Residence Place: Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, USA
Registration Date: 16 Oct 1940
Registration Place: Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, USA
Employer: Armour and Co
Weight: 175
Complexion: Light
Eye Color: Gray
Hair Color: Brown
Height: 5 9
Next of Kin: Miriam Tillstrom, wife
...............................................
2) Marriage Date: 20 Feb 1965
Marriage Place: Goshen, Elkhart, Indiana, USA
Name: Richard William Tillstrom
Gender: Male
Age: 53
Birth Date: abt 1912
Birth Place: Michigan
Spouse: Frances Mae Lugtighead (nee Luther) 218004362
..........................................
Death Age 96
Dick was born in Benton Harbor, MI on May 26, 1911, the son of Bert and Alice (Burr) Tillstrom. He attended DePauw University, following which he worked as a salesman for several food companies. He retired after working several years as Station Public Affairs Director at WOOD T.V. where he and Andy Rent hosted the Captain Woody Show.
Through his work at WOOD T.V. Dick was involved with many community organizations and projects. He also hosted, and was the puppeteer for, the Tillstrom's Little People Show in Detroit. He and his wife, Fran, owned and operated the Cashmere Shop on W. Leonard St. for 20 years.
He was a long time active member of First United Methodist Church, a member of the West Side Optimist Club and the Grand Rapids Press Club. He was a man of great humor and greatly enjoyed his hobbies as a model train enthusiast, a percussion musician and puppeteer.
Dick was preceded in death by his first wife, Miriam Tillstrom, and by his brother, Burr Tillstrom.
Surviving are his wife of 43 years, Fran Tillstrom; his children, Susan and Larry Franklin of Farwell, MI, Richard P. and Marty Tillstrom of TX, Bevan and Rick Laird of WI; step-children, Joan and Robert Burger of IL, Lana McBride of Holland, MI; nine grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, March 29th, at First United Methodist Church with his pastor, Rev. Gary Haller, officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the memorial service. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery. The family is most grateful to Porter Hills Health Care Center for the loving care he received from them. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Hospice of Michigan or a charity of one's choice. The family is being served by Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Service
-Grand Rapids Press, The (MI) - Thursday, March 27, 2008
.................................................
Census 1930
Home in 1930: Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA
Household Members Age Relationship
Bert Tillstrom 38 Head b MI
Alice Tillstrom 38 Wife b MI
*Richard Tillstrom 18 Son
Burr Tillstrom 12 Son
...........................................
1) Cook Co, Il Marriage Index
Name: Richard M. Tillstrom
Marriage Date: 19 Jun 1934
Spouse: Miriam Pearson
Marriage Location: Cook County, IL
.......................................
WWII Draft Card
Name: Richard William Tillstrom
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 29
Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
Birth Date: 26 May 1911
Birth Place: Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA
Residence Place: Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, USA
Registration Date: 16 Oct 1940
Registration Place: Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, USA
Employer: Armour and Co
Weight: 175
Complexion: Light
Eye Color: Gray
Hair Color: Brown
Height: 5 9
Next of Kin: Miriam Tillstrom, wife
...............................................
2) Marriage Date: 20 Feb 1965
Marriage Place: Goshen, Elkhart, Indiana, USA
Name: Richard William Tillstrom
Gender: Male
Age: 53
Birth Date: abt 1912
Birth Place: Michigan
Spouse: Frances Mae Lugtighead (nee Luther) 218004362
..........................................
Death Age 96
Richard W. Tillstrom, aged 96, of Grand Rapids, died Sunday, March 23, 2008 and passed into the presence of his Lord and Savior.
Dick was born in Benton Harbor, MI on May 26, 1911, the son of Bert and Alice (Burr) Tillstrom. He attended DePauw University, following which he worked as a salesman for several food companies. He retired after working several years as Station Public Affairs Director at WOOD T.V. where he and Andy Rent hosted the Captain Woody Show.
Through his work at WOOD T.V. Dick was involved with many community organizations and projects. He also hosted, and was the puppeteer for, the Tillstrom's Little People Show in Detroit. He and his wife, Fran, owned and operated the Cashmere Shop on W. Leonard St. for 20 years.
He was a long time active member of First United Methodist Church, a member of the West Side Optimist Club and the Grand Rapids Press Club. He was a man of great humor and greatly enjoyed his hobbies as a model train enthusiast, a percussion musician and puppeteer.
Dick was preceded in death by his first wife, Miriam Tillstrom, and by his brother, Burr Tillstrom.
Surviving are his wife of 43 years, Fran Tillstrom; his children, Susan and Larry Franklin of Farwell, MI, Richard P. and Marty Tillstrom of TX, Bevan and Rick Laird of WI; step-children, Joan and Robert Burger of IL, Lana McBride of Holland, MI; nine grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, March 29th, at First United Methodist Church with his pastor, Rev. Gary Haller, officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the memorial service. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery. The family is most grateful to Porter Hills Health Care Center for the loving care he received from them. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Hospice of Michigan or a charity of one's choice. The family is being served by Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Service
-Grand Rapids Press, The (MI) - Thursday, March 27, 2008
.................................................
Census 1930
Home in 1930: Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA
Household Members Age Relationship
Bert Tillstrom 38 Head b MI
Alice Tillstrom 38 Wife b MI
*Richard Tillstrom 18 Son
Burr Tillstrom 12 Son
...........................................
1) Cook Co, Il Marriage Index
Name: Richard M. Tillstrom
Marriage Date: 19 Jun 1934
Spouse: Miriam Pearson
Marriage Location: Cook County, IL
.......................................
WWII Draft Card
Name: Richard William Tillstrom
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 29
Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
Birth Date: 26 May 1911
Birth Place: Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA
Residence Place: Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, USA
Registration Date: 16 Oct 1940
Registration Place: Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, USA
Employer: Armour and Co
Weight: 175
Complexion: Light
Eye Color: Gray
Hair Color: Brown
Height: 5 9
Next of Kin: Miriam Tillstrom, wife
...............................................
2) Marriage Date: 20 Feb 1965
Marriage Place: Goshen, Elkhart, Indiana, USA
Name: Richard William Tillstrom
Gender: Male
Age: 53
Birth Date: abt 1912
Birth Place: Michigan
Spouse: Frances Mae Lugtighead (nee Luther) 218004362
..........................................
Death Age 96
Dick was born in Benton Harbor, MI on May 26, 1911, the son of Bert and Alice (Burr) Tillstrom. He attended DePauw University, following which he worked as a salesman for several food companies. He retired after working several years as Station Public Affairs Director at WOOD T.V. where he and Andy Rent hosted the Captain Woody Show.
Through his work at WOOD T.V. Dick was involved with many community organizations and projects. He also hosted, and was the puppeteer for, the Tillstrom's Little People Show in Detroit. He and his wife, Fran, owned and operated the Cashmere Shop on W. Leonard St. for 20 years.
He was a long time active member of First United Methodist Church, a member of the West Side Optimist Club and the Grand Rapids Press Club. He was a man of great humor and greatly enjoyed his hobbies as a model train enthusiast, a percussion musician and puppeteer.
Dick was preceded in death by his first wife, Miriam Tillstrom, and by his brother, Burr Tillstrom.
Surviving are his wife of 43 years, Fran Tillstrom; his children, Susan and Larry Franklin of Farwell, MI, Richard P. and Marty Tillstrom of TX, Bevan and Rick Laird of WI; step-children, Joan and Robert Burger of IL, Lana McBride of Holland, MI; nine grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, March 29th, at First United Methodist Church with his pastor, Rev. Gary Haller, officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the memorial service. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery. The family is most grateful to Porter Hills Health Care Center for the loving care he received from them. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Hospice of Michigan or a charity of one's choice. The family is being served by Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Service
-Grand Rapids Press, The (MI) - Thursday, March 27, 2008
.................................................
Census 1930
Home in 1930: Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA
Household Members Age Relationship
Bert Tillstrom 38 Head b MI
Alice Tillstrom 38 Wife b MI
*Richard Tillstrom 18 Son
Burr Tillstrom 12 Son
...........................................
1) Cook Co, Il Marriage Index
Name: Richard M. Tillstrom
Marriage Date: 19 Jun 1934
Spouse: Miriam Pearson
Marriage Location: Cook County, IL
.......................................
WWII Draft Card
Name: Richard William Tillstrom
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 29
Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
Birth Date: 26 May 1911
Birth Place: Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA
Residence Place: Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, USA
Registration Date: 16 Oct 1940
Registration Place: Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, USA
Employer: Armour and Co
Weight: 175
Complexion: Light
Eye Color: Gray
Hair Color: Brown
Height: 5 9
Next of Kin: Miriam Tillstrom, wife
...............................................
2) Marriage Date: 20 Feb 1965
Marriage Place: Goshen, Elkhart, Indiana, USA
Name: Richard William Tillstrom
Gender: Male
Age: 53
Birth Date: abt 1912
Birth Place: Michigan
Spouse: Frances Mae Lugtighead (nee Luther) 218004362
..........................................
Death Age 96
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