Dewila "Jean" Tilton

Dewila "Jean" (Yoder) Tilton, age 89, of Swanton, Ohio, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her loving and devoted family, Wednesday, February 17, 2021.  She was born September 22, 1931 in Holgate, Ohio to Loran and Vera (Schelling) Yoder.  Jean was a 1949 graduate of Wauseon High School.  She was married to James Calvin Tilton of Whitehouse for 26 years, and who preceded her in death on May 24, 2008.

A member of Crossroads Evangelical Church in Wauseon, Jean was a lifelong Christian.  She loved being part of and living near such a large family. Her big smile and kind nature earned her many dear friends throughout her life. As the oldest sister, and second oldest of eight children growing up in the depression era and wartime, Jean began her life’s work caring for others at a young age.

Jean was a great cook and enjoyed canning with her daughter.  She loved playing euchre, going to the cabin “Up North,” fishing and water skiing.  She preferred and enjoyed the simpler things in life, going to garage sales, gardening and most of all spending time with friends and family.  She was known to be “lucky at cards.”

As a three-time cancer survivor, Jean overcame much adversity during the last decade of her long life. She managed to live alone in her home, pretty much self-sufficient with some support from her family. She was blessed with an unquestionable faith in Jesus, a sharp mind and wit, and an amazing determination to be independent. She embraced her final days with Grace.

Left to cherish Jean's memory are her children, Roger (Jennifer) Bates of Tampa, FL, Gary (Lois) Bates of Niles, MI, Luann (Terry) Fleck of Swanton, OH, James Tilton of Toledo, OH and Jeff (Manda) Tilton of Whitehouse, OH; 10 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, her siblings, Lowell, Marel, and Lois, and dozens of nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; Loran and Vera Yoder; and siblings, John, Paul, Sharon and Lester "Butch" Yoder.

Visitation will be held Friday, February 26th, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home in Swanton. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 27th at 3:00 p.m. at Crossroads Evangelical Church, where visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until time of the service. Interment will follow at Wauseon Union Cemetery. A celebration of her life will be held later in the summer.

Memorial contributions in memory of Jean may be made to Crossroads Evangelical Church, 845 E. Leggett St., Wauseon, OH 43567.