Harold C. Tilton

Tilton, Harold C., asleep in Jesus Saturday, October 19, 2024.

Beloved husband of the late Laverne C. Tilton, dear father of Kim (Glenn) Grzeskowiak and Harold Tilton Jr.; dear grandfather of Lindsay, Jack, and Jenna Grzeskowiak; uncle of Erv (Mary K) Heyde and Bruce (Char) Heyde. Friend to anyone who met him.

Born September 10, 1925, to Harold and Helen Tilton. He grew up in the Webster/Kirkwood area, where he was known to frequent the Art Museum and play “High Spy”.  

Harold joined the Navy at age 17. Was a Petty Officer and was trained as a radio operator at the University of Idaho. Served on the USS Iowa and also the USS San Clemente. Achieved America Area - Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific - 1 Star, and Philippine Liberation - 1 Star. Harold was Honorably discharged in 1946.

Harold met his future wife, Laverne Zeiser on a blind date square dancing and was married April 11, 1953, until Lavern passed in 2016.  

Harold worked at McDonnell Douglas for 30 years in the Purchasing and Estimating departments. Harold retired from McDonnell Douglas and worked another 25 years for the Ellisville Parks and City Works department. He oversaw planting and maintaining flowerbeds throughout Ellisville. Harold was very well known by everyone who visited Bluebird Park.

After retiring from the parks department, he became the “Mayor of Weis Avenue”, befriending every neighbor on the street. His house was known as the wild animal capital. Deer, squirrels, birds, and especially chipmunks became pets and visited all day for treats. Many a chipmunk sat in Harold’s lap.

Services: Visitation at the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin, Monday, October 21, from 3:00 p.m. until time of service at 5:00 p.m. Interment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Tuesday, October 22, at 10:30 a.m. Procession from Sylvan Springs Park Staging Area at 10:00 a.m. If desired, contributions may be made to Ballwin VFW Post 6274. Friends may sign the family’s on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.