Obituary of Ethel Marie Tillman

Ethel Marie Tillman, 85, of Doniphan, Missouri, died Tuesday, December 12, 2017, at the Current River Nursing Center in Doniphan.

Mrs. Tillman was born January 31, 1932, in Doniphan.  She had been a cook at the Doniphan R-1 Schools and Naylor Nutrition Center and also owned her own family business.  Ethel enjoyed gardening, sewing and spending time with her family and she was a faithful contributor to the Prospect News for happenings in the Purman and Currentview communities.  Mrs. Tillman was past secretary of the Purman Fire Department, member of the Naylor American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, a founding member of the V. F. W. Ladies Auxiliary, Post #3485 and was a member of the Simpson Creek Church.

On April 18, 1947, she was married to Elva Tillman at Pocahontas, Arkansas, and he preceded her in death on December 6, 2007.

She was also preceded in death by her mother, Sally (Tripplet) Griffin; 1 son, Elwayne C. Tillman;4 brothers, Charles McNew, Cecil McNew, Louie Griffin and James Griffin; 3 grandchildren, Dawnene and Justin Tillman and Jason Ormsby; and  1 son-in-law, Larry Ormsby.

Surviving are 4 children; Ernest (Elania) Tillman, Edward (Leigh Ann) Tillman, Elaine Ormsby and Donna Sandlin, all of Doniphan; 3 sisters, Evelyn Knobock of Anderson, Indiana, Sophia McNew of Winston, Missouri, and Joann Fleury of Woodland, Washington; 1 brother, Bill McNew of Winlock, Washington; 6 grandchildren; 13 great- grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will begin at noon Thursday, December 14, 2017, at the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan.  The funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Brother Hubert Payne officiating.  Burial will be in the Amity Cemetery.