Mary (Cox) Tilton

On Friday, March 10, Mary Cox Tilton, devoted wife, passed away in Marion, Illinois. She was 91. Born April 10, 1931, to John and Nina Cox of Pattersonville, New York, Mary grew up in historic Schenectady County, but made Indiana her home for over 70 years.

A graduate of Butler University, Mary earned a B.A. in Theatre Arts and English and M.S. in Educational Psychology and Library Science.  Mary spent her career serving youth through elderly populations, developing educational and recreational programs for state, community and private organizations from Concord Center Association in Indianapolis to Indiana Veterans’ Home, YWCA and Westminster Village in Lafayette, Indiana.

Mary’s joys in life were boating on Lake Monroe with her late husband, Jim, supporting the Lafayette Citizen’s Band, enjoying her dear neighbors, and caring for her beloved cats and dogs over the years.

She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, John Cox, Jr.; her husband, James R. Tilton; and sister-in-law, Elizabeth Tilton Couch.

Mary is survived by nephews, Tom Couch (Cheryl) of Carterville, Illinois, Brad Couch of Alto Pass, Illinois, Rev. Stephen Couch (Carol) of Britt, Iowa, and niece, Linda Gates (Mark) of Heath, Texas, along with eleven great nieces and nephews and their children.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at Garland Brook Cemetery in Columbus, Indiana.

Those who wish, may make memorial contributions to Wabash Center, 2000 Greenbush St., Lafayette, Indiana 47904 or Lafayette Citizens Band, 216 N. 4^th St., Lafayette, Indiana 47901.

Riggin-Pillatsch & Burke Funeral Home in Carterville, Illinois, assisted the family with arrangements. 

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