Matilda Wiley Looney

Matilda Looney was born in Kewanee, Illinois on March 4, 1913 to Bertha and John Wiley. Matilda, known as Tillie graduated from Kewanee High School. She attended Augustana College 1931-33 and the University of Illinois 1933-36. She received an A.B. degree in 1935 and a B.S. in Library Sciences in 1936 from the University of Illinois. She worked as a librarian at the University of Missouri in Colombia, Missouri from 1936-48. It was there she met her future husband Hugh M. Looney. They were married on October 3, 1942 in Kansas City, Missouri. Hugh and Tillie spent more than 60 years together with a short stay in Wichita, Kansas followed by many years in Ft. Worth, Midland and Houston. Midland was "home" to them. Tillie was very active in the First Presbyterian Church of Midland. From 1951-1953 and 1957-1964 she was Secretary to the church pastor, Matthew Lynn. Tillie also was secretary for the Mid-Texas Presbytery in Fort Worth, Texas from 1953-57. From 1967-74 she was a librarian with the Midland Public Library. Following retirement Tillie remained very active as a volunteer in the Presbyterian Church and at Trinity Towers in Midland. She actively supported the Friends of Midland County Public Library, the University of Illinois School of Library Science, the University of Missouri at Columbia, the AAPG Foundation Trustee Associates and the Permian Basin Geological and Geophysical Auxiliary. Tillie was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh M. Looney. She is survived by her nephew, J. Michael Widmier and his wife, Alice; her cousin, Mrs. Robert Heyn; and numerous other cousins and great and great-great nieces and nephews. Memorials may be directed to the Deacon's Fund, First Presbyterian Church at 800 W. Texas, Midland, Texas 79701 or a charity of your choice. Services will be private. Arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home.