Zelda Yvonne Tilley

1936 - 2026

Zelda Yvonne (Clonch) Tilley, age 89, of Greenfield, passed away Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Springhurst Health Campus. She was born in Mason County, West Virginia on October 28, 1936, to Granville William and Ella Virginia (Bright) Clonch. She grew up in Marion, Ohio and graduated from Harding High School in 1954. Zelda met the love of her life John Adamson Tilley in Columbus Ohio, where he was stationed at Lockbourne Air Force Base. Zelda and John were married on July 21, 1956.

Zelda was employed at Hancock County Memorial Hospital for many years, and John H. Payne Associates for 17 years.

She was a long-time member of Hancock County Memorial Hospital Guild. She was also a member of Trinity Park United Methodist Church. Zelda was a 50-year member of Order of Eastern Star and a member of Alpha Kappa Sigma Beta Sorority.

Zelda and John enjoyed traveling going to Montreal, Alaska, Hawaii, Jamaica, Mexico, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Spain, Majorca, Australia, New Zealand, Figi, and American Samoa.

Zelda was a Girl Scout leader for 11 years, taking the girls from Brownies through Juniors and Senior Girl Scouts. Enduring many camporees and enough hikes to earn them a 100-mile patch. Zelda and John took the Senior Troop on a trip to Rockwood International Girl Scout camp in Washington, DC, where they got to tour Washington DC, Williamsburg, Gettysburg, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia.

After retiring in 1998, they became snowbirds, spending their winters in Cape Coral, FL for 19 years.

Zelda enjoyed gardening, all kinds of arts and crafts, especially sewing and painting.

She is survived by her husband, John Adamson Tilley of Greenfield; daughter, Terry Kay Tilley of Indianapolis, IN; three grandchildren, Michelle Leigh (Frank Moschetto) Morris of Burbank, CA, Adamson Joshua (Prinsandra) Becker of Plymouth, IN, and Randall Scott (Allison) Becker of South Bend, IN; and great-grandson, Henry James Becker of South Bend, IN. She was preceded in death by her parents, Granville William and Ella Virginia Clonch; and daughter, Deborah Sue (William, Jr) Becker.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 2, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Trinity Park Church, 207 W. Park Ave., Greenfield, IN 46140. A funeral service will be held immediately following the visitation at 1:00 p.m. Dr. Andy Flink will be officiating. Burial will follow at Park Cemetery in Greenfield.

Friends may share a memory or condolence at www.erleweinmortuary.com.

Arrangements are being handled by Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory in Greenfield.