Barbara Ann Tilton

Barbara Ann (Heying) Tilton was born on December 10, 1954 at Camp Chaffee, AR to Sylvester and Lila Ann (Miller) Heying while her father was stationed there. In her early years they lived on her grandparents farm. As she grew, she enjoyed helping her grandpa with chores and some fieldwork, learning to drive his tractor and pickup. She also learned how to care for and ride her horse.

Barb and her family now numbering five moved to town where she attended and graduated from Winner High School in 1973. Barb worked at the hospital during her junior and senior years.

In the fall of 1972 while rollerskating at Al's Roller Dome in Dallas, Barb grabbed a guy named Lynn on the Ladies Choice and didn't let go. She graduated in May and married him in June.

The adventures continued and in late 1973 they moved to Sioux Falls to open a new family car dealership. In 1977 they moved back to Gregory to maintain the original family location.

Together Barb and Lynn raised three children. In 1980 Barb took over the contract mail route that her mother had traveled for 20 years delivering mail from Winner to the Hamill area. She continued this for over 30 years, six days a week, and 140 miles a day with only a few breaks when she hired someone to sub for her.

In 2007 she retired from the route to oversee care for Lynn's mom, Janice. Barb supervised the building of a house on the farm for Janice just steps from our trailer. After Janice's passing, she made the new house into our home.

In Barb's spare time she enjoyed art of all sorts, including painting, pencil drawing, and refinishing furniture, to the point of filling the original farm house to it's limit.

After battling a year long illness, Barb passed away on January 4, 2026 at the Mayo Hospital in Rochester, MN at the age of 71 years.

Barb leaves behind her husband Lynn; three children: son Chuck (Amy) Tilton, daughter LeighAnn (Jorge) Tello, and son Steve (Kim) Tilton; grandchildren: Jorge, ZoeAlejandra, Sofia, Arturo, Maurico, and Maya Tello and Adrienne Tilton; her mother Lila Ann (Heying) Kellogg; brothers Doyle (Kathy) Heying, Bruce (Tammy) Heying, and Darwin (Lori) Heying; sisters: Diane (Mike) Adams and Brenda (Jim) Hofeldt; along with special friends LeeAnne Davis and Judy Kayl; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father Sylvester and her grandparents.

A Family visitation and Celebration of life for Barbara Tilton age 71 of Winner, SD will be held on Friday January 16 from 4-7PM at Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, SD.