Robert L. “Bob” Tilden

Robert L. “Bob” Tilden, 84, of Winamac, passed away at 4 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac. 

He was born on Jan. 8, 1934, in Gary, to the late Robert A. and Myrle (Mitchell) Tilden. Bob graduated from Hammond High School in 1952 and had attended Purdue University Calumet Campus. In his younger years, he worked for his parents at their diner, Kwik-Kee-Snax in Hammond, where he met his late wife of 55 years, Esther Irene Tilden. She left this world at 4 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017. 

Bob served in the U.S. Navy on the destroyer USS Frank E. Knox and was very proud to receive a Quilt of Valor in 2017. He was retired from NIPSCO where he had worked as a powerhouse operator. He was a member of the United Steelworkers Union and Winamac First United Methodist Church. Bob was an avid Indiana University Hoosiers fan. He enjoyed quiet time on the Tippecanoe River and evenings in the yard with his neighbors. 

Survivors include his children: Judy [Ralph] Williams of Pulaski, Bobby [Valerie] Gilbert of Griffith, Freddy [Kathy] Gilbert of Lake of Four Seasons, David [Wendy] Tilden of Woodbury, Minnesota, and Darcy [Patrick] Grieger of Hanna; 21 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; sister Sharron [Paul] Kleihege of Chicago; brother John [Elaine] Tilden of Shipshewana; several nieces and nephews; and special friends: Bill and Dana Alliss and Bob and Joyce Kellie, of Winamac. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Robert A. and Myrle (Mitchell) Tilden; and a son Larry Gilbert.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at the First United Methodist Church in Winamac, with Pastor Tom Richards officiating. Graveside services with military honors will be at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at Memory Lane Memorial Park in Crown Point.

Memorial contributions may be made to Winamac First United Methodist Church, Guardian Angel Hospice, Pulaski Health Care Center or LaPorte County Small Animal Shelter. 

Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.

(Pulaski County Journal — Jan. 17, 2018)