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Sue Ann Tilbury, age 78, of Constantine, passed away Monday, March 1, 2010 at her home. She was born in Three Rivers, on October 20, 1931, the daughter of Roy A. and Lois E. (Youells) Bernhardt. In 1949 Sue graduated from Three Rivers High School. She later met and fell in love with Kent L. Tilbury, whom she married on August 4, 1950. They enjoyed 55 years of marriage until he preceeded her in death on June 13, 2006.
From 1955 until 1966 Sue worked as a nurses aid at Three Rivers Pediatrics. She then was a secretary at Continental Can. In 1973 she began working at Michigan National Bank in White Pigeon, which became Sturgis Federal Savings & Loan, from which she retired in 1993. Sue also worked as secretary at Messiah Lutheran Church, St. John’s Lutheran Church and First Congregational United Church of Christ, of which she was also a member. Sue enjoyed helping at the Constantine Area Churches weekly soup kitchen.
Sue was preceded in death by her parents, brother James L. Bernhardt, husband Kent, Sr., daughter Sally Jo Hagenbuch, and most recently her son Larry K. Tilbury in Dec. 2009. Surviving Sue are her sons Michael (Lucy) Tilbury, Three Rivers, Kent “Buddy” (Monica) Tilbury, Constantine, brother Rick (Ursula) Bernhardt, Constantine, grandchildren Heather Cornwell, Angela Vrydaghs, Michael Tilbury, Jr, Eric Hagenbuch, Peter Hagenbuch, Brandon Tilbury, Mason Tilbury, 11 great grandchildren, sister-in-law Janet Bernhardt, San Diego, CA, nieces Cheryl Schwab, Tamara Bernhardt Nelson, and nephews John Bernhardt and Erich Bernhardt.
According to her wishes, cremation has taken place. Relatives and friends will be received at the Eley Funeral home in Constantine on March 19, 2010 from 6-8 p.m. and also March 20, 2010 from 1-2 pm, where Memorial Services will follow at 2:00 pm. Pastor Marilyn Schlimgen of the First Congregational United Church of Christ will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to the church. Online messages may be left at www.eleyfuneralhomes.com.
