Tilson L. King

Tilson L. King, age 96 of Auburn passed away on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at Auburn Village Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing in Auburn.

He was born in Nappanee, Indiana on May 17, 1921 to Lynn and Eula (Strauss) King.

Mr. King honorably served his country in the United States Air Force from 1942 until 1946.  He was a pilot and flew C 46 aircraft.  He then served as a reserve officer in the United States Air Force from 1946 until 1955.

He graduated from Manchester College in 1947.  He then graduated from Indiana University with his master’s degree.  He did additional graduate work at Purdue University, the University of Southern California, University of Hawaii and Memphis State University. 

Tilson married Dortha G. Martz on April 21, 1946 at Fairfield Center near Corunna.  She resides in Auburn.

He served as the administrator in Overseas Dependent Schools from 1957 until 1965 at Nagoya, Japan, the Clark Air Base in the Philippines, the Johnson Air Base in Japan, Torrejon Air Base in Madrid, Spain, the 5^th Air Force Headquarter in Tokyo, Japan and Hickam Air Base in Hawaii.  From 1965 until 1984 he worked as a principal and educational administrator for DeKalb Central Schools.  After retiring from DeKalb Central Tilson worked for Guardian Industries as a human resource manager from 1984 until 1986.  After 1986 he worked many years for Dean Kruse and Kim Charleston at classic and antique car auctions around the United States. 

Mr. King was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Auburn.  He also belonged to the Auburn Lions Club for many years and the Greenhurst Country Club in Auburn.  He also served on the Board of Directors of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Directors for the United Way of DeKalb County, the Auburn City Council and he served as president of the Auburn Industrial Development Corporation.   

Survivors Include:

His wife of 72 years; Dortha King of Auburn.

Son and daughter-in-law; Philip and Jean King of Waterloo.

Son and daughter-in-law; Steven and Sue King of La Porte, Indiana.

Daughter and son-in-law; Beverly and Ben Ellert of Auburn.

Daughter; Janet Phillips of Indianapolis, Indiana.

Eight grandchildren and many great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and three sisters; Evelyn Howell, Helen Cleveland and Mary Ganshorn.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 23, 2018 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM at the Feller and Clark Funeral Home, 1860 South Center Street in Auburn.  Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the funeral service on Saturday from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at the funeral home.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Feller and Clark Funeral Home in Auburn. 

Officiating the funeral service will be Rev. Jonathan Nack from Trinity Lutheran Church in Auburn.

Burial will take place at Fairfield Cemetery in Corunna.

Memorial donations may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church, 1801 Main Street, Auburn, Indiana 46706.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.fellerandclark.com. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Feller and Clark Funeral Home in Auburn.