Arthur Tilbury

Arthur M. Tilbury, 71, a resident of rural Churubusco, passed away at 7:05 p. m. on Saturday, November 30, 2013 at Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home in Fort Wayne. He had been in declining health for the past two years. Mr. Tilbury was born on November 13, 1942 in Fort Wayne, a son of Herbert A. and Agnes (Meyer) Tilbury, and graduated from Central Catholic High School. As a young man he served with the U. S. Army, and was married in Alaska on February 23, 1968 to Jacqueline Thomas. The couple lived in Alaska for a period before returning to this area in 1969. He had lived at his present home near Churubusco since 1975. Mr. Tilbury was self employed real estate agent, and had also worked as a general contractor. For many years he operated Tilbury's Tree Farm, where countless people in the area came to purchase their Christmas tree each year. He was a member of the Gilbert Davis American Legion Post 157 in Churubusco and the Kendallville Eagles. The surviving relatives include his wife Jacqueline; his children Lee Tilbury of Churubusco and David (Maureen) Tilbury, both of Churubusco, Ray Tilbury of Alaska, John Tilbury of Grabill, Joanna (Michael) Keefe of Churubusco, and Andy (Kandee) Murr of Alaska; a brother Joseph (Ann) Tilbury of Berne; two sisters Teresa Tilbury of Fort Wayne and Marleta (Donald) Rowdabaugh of Poe; 24 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Services will be held at 8 p. m. on Tuesday, December 3, 2013, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rev. James Keefe, officiating. Military rites will follow. The family will receive friends at the funeral home after 6 p. m. Tuesday until the time of the service. For those who wish, memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association, 6324 Constitution Drive, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46804 ***********************************************