Dr. Timothy Edward Tillman, 81, of Bellefontaine, passed away Saturday, January 7, 2023 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.
Tim was born April 3, 1941 in Bellefontaine to the late Paul Edward and Dolores (Lucas) Tillman. On February 14, 1977 in Bellefontaine he married the love of his life Marcia Eckhardt, who survives.
Dr. Tillman’s family moved to “The Farm” in 1945. This farm was located at what is now 825 Ludlow Road, “Tilly’s Place,” across from the Bellefontaine City Schools Office. He attended Bellefontaine Rural (Iron City) (Pine Ave.) Elementary School. Tim graduated from Bellefontaine High School in 1959.
Later he attended THE Ohio State University from 1959 thru June 1966, graduating with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree (DVM). The start to his career began at Headlee Animal Hospital in Upper Arlington, where he had worked for one year while attending Veterinary School. Tim joined Dr. Glenn Irwin’s Veterinary Practice in Bellefontaine in June 1967 at which time they opened a branch clinic in Russells Point.
He opened North Side Animal Clinic on U.S. Rt. 68 North, Bellefontaine in July 1973 as a sole proprietor with one full-time employee, and one part-time employee and several family members assisting. Tim retired from North Side Animal Clinic in October 2003 after practicing for 37 years. At that time, North Side was a four Veterinarian practice with around 10 other employees.
He and his wife Marcia retired on 84 acres in the beautiful hills northeast of Bellefontaine and Zanesfield where they enjoyed the deer, wild turkeys, planting flowers, their garden and working on the land on his tractor. During his career and retirement he was very active with the Humane Society Serving Logan County, including as a member of the Board of Directors and President of the Board during the planning and construction of the new shelter on U.S. Rt. 68 North which opened in 1999. Tim also donated professional services of the spaying and neutering of over 3,000 cats from Logan County.
He was also active in the OSU Alumni Assn. as a life member, OSU Alumni Assn. of Logan County, Ohio Veterinary Medical Assn., Ohio Township Assn., Township Government as Trustee in Lake and Jefferson Townships for 30 years and Tri-Valley Fire District and Zanesfield Board of Directors 2001-2008. Tim enjoyed going to football and basketball games to watch THE Ohio State Buckeyes, Bellefontaine Chieftains, Cincinnati Bengals and Reds. He also enjoyed going to all of his grandchildren’s games, in which he never missed a single one. He loved spending time with his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Tim is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Marcia Tillman; children, Teresa Linville, Jennifer Tillman-Engle, Nicholas (Mindy) Tillman, Stacy (Greg) Penhorwood, LeeAnn (Todd) Brown and David Costin; grandchildren, Dax (Hannah) Brown, Erin (Aaron) Long, Taylor (Jaime) Eufracio, Haley (Mason) Prickett, Bailey Hemmelgarn, CJ Costin, Connor Linville, Tristin Tillman, Riley Penhorwood, Dawsin Tillman, Colton Costin; great grandchildren, Reese Long, Jack Prickett and two more on the way; siblings, Susu (Max) Earick and Chris Tillman; many nieces and nephews.
Tim is preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, John Engle; grandson-in-law, Zac Hemmelgarn
A Funeral Service will be Wednesday, January 11, at 11 a.m. at Jennings Farley & Seeley Funeral Home & Crematory. Visitation will take place Tuesday, January 10, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home and again Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will take place in Zanesfield Cemetery following the service.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the BHS Athletic Boosters, 555 E. Lake Ave. Bellefontaine, OH 43311 or Champaign County Animal Welfare League – David Robert Wetzell Memorial Clinic, 3858 OH-56, Mechanicsburg, OH 43044
Online Condolences may be expressed at www.jenningsfarley.com.
