Lois M. Tilton

Lois Mae Tilton was born on Monday, March 1, 1915, in Empire, Kentucky, the daughter of Ernest Bernard and Mary Lou (White) Teasley. Lois grew up and lived in Kentucky until the age of nineteen, when she moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. Since 1949, she made her home in Ottawa, Franklin County, Kansas, until her death on Friday, September 15, 2006, at the age of ninety-one years. When Lois was growing up at home, her mother, who was of American Indian heritage and a tightrope walker, would entertain the family by walking on the clothesline. She was so much like her mother. When Lois was a little girl about eight years old, she was struck by lightning while swinging. Her parents feared for her life. Lois woke up three days later and said, 'What's all the hubbub about.' Lois graduated from Crofton Kentucky High School with the class of 1938 and attended Vanderbilt University three years, receiving her degree in nursing. Lois worked twelve years as a skilled, caring, and compassionate nurse with her first husband and later worked five years at Crestview Nursing Home in Ottawa. She owned and operated Tilton's Inn and Rondezvous Tavern in Ottawa. She attended Town & Country Church of Christ in Ottawa. She was a spiritual person and always said, 'God will never let you down as long as you believe.' Lois was united in marriage with Roscoe Wininger, Dr. Walter Wininger, Beaue Hough, and Charles F. Whitacre, who all preceded her in death. In 1973, Lois was united in marriage with Kenneth O. Tilton at Olathe, KS. He preceded her in death on July 11, 1975. A companion, Herbert Fitch, also preceded Lois in death. She is also preceded in death by her son, Bob Wininger; brother, Lamond Teasley; two sisters, Ruth Mattingly, Dorothy Irwin; and granddaughter, Maggie L. Collins. She is survived by two daughters, Shirley Mentzer of Ft. Wayne, IN, Brenda Whitacre-Collins of Ottawa; three sons, Jack Wininger of Denver, CO, Bill Wininger of St. Charles, IL, Mike Whitacre of Ottawa; sister, Ila Cannon of Crofton, KY; twenty-two grandchildren; forty-seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. She will be remembered for her love of life, people and animals and the ability to see good in every person and everything even in adversity. If Lois could say goodbye, she would tell her family and friends, 'We will all eventually be together in Heaven.' SERVICES: A Celebration of Life Service will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary 7:00P.M., Wednesday, September 20, 2006. IN STATE: Mrs. Tilton was cremated. CEMETERY: Private inurnment services will be held later at Highland Cemetery in Ottawa, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to Bea Martin Peck Animal Shelter c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.