Ken Elton Tillotson was born April 3, 1939 to Neva Ethel and Lloyd Elton Tillotson in Sawyer, Kansas where his family owned and operated a dairy farm. He passed away at his winter home in Harlingen, Texas on January 28, 2019 with family members at his side following a 5 year battle with cancer.
In 1956 they moved to Osceola, Missouri where Lloyd and family continued their dairy operation and also started a Standard Oil gas station and delivery service. Gas sold for $.25 a gallon at that time.
Ken was enrolled in his senor year of high school in Osceola and soon met the love of his life, Kathy Hochstedler. They were married June 21, 1957 and their daughter Sheryl was born 11 months later. Their son Rodney came almost 5 years later. Ken bought a milk route and left every morning at 4:30 am after Kathy fixed breakfast and sent him off with a sandwich for lunch. Sometimes she would ride the route with him. KIen had several other jobs in Osceola, including owner of the Burger Bar, built next to his dad’s service station north of town on highway 13. Eventually he became a postal employee in Osceola, starting as a janitor, then a clerk and later retired as postmaster. Ken worked for the postal service for 26 years and made many friends. He always felt like he got the job as postmaster because of local support, including the petition that townspeople circulated and submitted requesting he be selected. Ken will always be remembered for his ready smile and willingness to help people.
Ken accepted Jesus as his Savior in his early teens and served the Lord faithfully. In May of 1958 he moved his church membership to Vista Baptist Church where he became a deacon in 1974 and also served on the Fellowship Association and Camp Board. Ken was also a treasurer and supporter of the Osceola Food Bank for several years. He enjoyed fishing with his son Rodney and cousin David. Ken loved his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, church family and community.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Rodney and younger brother, Bernard.
Ken was survived by his wife Kathy of 61 years; daughter and son-in-law Sheryl and Dennis Hopkins of Livingston, Montana; daughter-in-law Lori Tillotson of Kincaid, Kansas; sister, Christine Wood of Sherman, Texas; brother, Kermit of Harlingen, Texas; 4 granddaughters, 8 great-granddaughter, 2 great-grandsons of Kansas and 2 grandsons of Montana as well as many loving nieces, nephews and other family members. He will be greatly missed
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