Harriet Louise Tilton, nee Carder, 79, of Waterloo, IL, born on June 6, 1928 in Maroa, IL to Jesse W. Carder and Myra Ethel Carder, nee Wilhour, passed away Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Belleville, IL.

She grew up on a farm with her older brothers, Albert Harold, Bernard Keith, and Edwin Paul. She was a proud graduate of Maroa High School and faithfully attended her high school alumni banquets.

On VJ Day, while visiting her cousin, she met James A. Tilton in Danville, IL. They were married on April 10, 1949 at the Maroa Methodist Church and so began her life as a "railroad" wife. They settled in Decatur, IL where Jeffrey Thomas and Judith Kaye were born. Then the railroad started moving the family around.

They came to Belleville, IL in 1960. She made many friends in their neighborhood and at St. Matthew Methodist Church. In 1965, the family was transferred to Roanoke, VA. She wasn't wild about the move, but once again made many friends.

The family returned to Belleville in 1967. After both kids were in high school, she went to work outside of the home. She worked at Public Finance and then Midwest Home Savings and Loan. Then once the kids were raised, they began their travels. She loved to go places and visit with friends. She especially loved cruises.

In 2002, they "down-sized" and moved to Waterloo, Il. This of course was a joke as their new villa was bigger than their home in Belleville. In her later years she was unable to travel, but enjoyed watching Cardinal games, Antiques Roadshow and reruns of Lawrence Welk. In the past few months she had become a member of Union United Methodist Church, Belleville, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings and beloved in-laws, Frank and Dorothy Tilton. Her brother Bernard was killed in action with Merrill's Marauders in the Burma campaign of World War II.

Harriet was a dedicated wife, caring mom, grandma and mother-in-law.

Survived by her husband, Jim;
her children Jeff (Karen) Tilton of Daly City, CA and
Judy (Bill) Thomas of Waterloo, IL;
her grandchildren
Sarah Rachel Thomas of Shiloh, IL,
Lauren Elizabeth Thomas of Waterloo, IL ,
Clay Lee Tilton of Daly City, CA and
Adam Thomas of Houston, TX; her nieces and nephews; Larry (Judy) Carder, Debbie (Tom) Coggins and
Mark (Jan) Carder;
her many friends and her grandpups, Sydney and Isabella.

She was quite proud and especially fond of her grandchildren

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity in memory of her.

Visitation: Friends may call from 2-3 pm Saturday, May 17, 2008 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, IL

Funeral: A memorial service will be held at 3:00pm Saturday, May 17, 2008 at Kurrus Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ed Weston officiating. Her ashes will be placed at a later date with her parents and brothers at Ridge Cemetery in Maroa, IL and at Oakridge Cemetery in Catlin, IL with Jim's parents.