CRESTON — Diane Louise Haws Tilton, 76, of Creston, passed Feb. 4, 2019 at Serenity House in Oregon. She was born May 4, 1942 in Streator, the 12th of 13 children born to Frank and Winifred Haws.
Diane was raised in the Catholic Faith and was baptized into the Catholic Church. She had her first Holy Communion at St Patrick’s Church in Rochelle; along with her brother, Daniel and sister, Judy.
Diane attended Creston Grade School and Rochelle High School. She attended Kishwaukee Jr. College and graduated from their nursing program. She worked at various nursing homes.
She was employed by Eaton Corp in Rochelle. She was also employed at Northern Illinois University as a foreman in the custodial department, from which she retired.
Diane spent a lifetime of caring for family and friends. She helped care for family as needed. She set aside her life and moved back home to care for her parents until their deaths.
When her sister Judy was waiting for a lung transplant, Diane and Duane packed up and went to Shands Hospital housing in Florida to help care for her. She carried the family ethics to do her best at whatever the task, no matter what. We will truly miss her and our conversations at the kitchen table.
Diane is survived by four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Alice (Arthur), Berniece (James), and Janice (Daniel) Haws. As well as many nieces, nephews and special friends.
She was married 28 years to Duane Earl Tilton. Duane preceded her in death Nov. 7, 2008.
She also was predeceased by her mother and father; her son, Kim Eugene Haws; two sisters, an infant, Darlene Haws, and Judy (Donald) Hehr; 10 brothers, Ralph F., Vincent (Jessie), William (Madeline), John J. (Dorothy), Gerald (Barbara), Donald (Beverly), James (Bernice), Thomas (Eva), Arthur (Alice) and Daniel (Janice) Haws; nephews, Vincent, David, Ronald, Eugene, James, Roger and Gregory Haws, Patrick Davis; and nieces, Brenda (Tom) Sisk, Linda Gregory and Marion Haws.
The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Rochelle Community Hospital, OSF Saint Anthony’s Hospital of Rockford and Serenity Hospice in Oregon.
As per Diane’s wishes, there will be no visitation and only graveside services for family. Private burial will be in Lawnridge Cemetery with Judy Williams officiating.
Please visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.