Raymond Edward Tilton

Ray Tilton, 62, of Balsam Lake, Wisconsin passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at his home after a courageous seven year battle with metastatic colon cancer.

Ray was born on April 5, 1950 in Amery, WI to Gail and Melba (Hallberg) Tilton.  He grew up in Balsam Lake and attended Unity High School where he excelled in sports, playing football, basketball, baseball and track.  He graduated in 1968.  He attended and played basketball at UW-Richland Center.  After graduating from Minnesota School of Business with a degree in computer programming and systems analysis he was employed by Brown Photo and North Memorial Hospital.

In 1971 he married Mary Johnston and after the birth of their children, they moved to Balsam Lake in 1980 and he worked for St. Croix Regional Medical Center as manager of information systems for over 22 years.  Upon his retirement he worked for the Unity School District as a bus driver.  Picking up his grandchildren on his route was the special part of his day.

When they lived in Blaine, MN he was very active in the Minnesota Jaycees rising to the office of Regional Director.  After moving back to Wisconsin he was a founding member of Youth Sports Unlimited and St. Croix Chapter of Ducks Unlimited and a member of the Wisconsin Bear Hunter’s Association.  He is the past president of the church council at Faith Lutheran Church and a lifelong member.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gail and Melba and his sister Ruby Jane.  Ray leaves to celebrate his memory: his wife, Mary, daughter, Melissa (Marcus) Wilhelm, Blaine, MN; son, Joe (Tiffiny) Tilton, Balsam Lake, WI; grandchildren, Elijah, Elizabeth, Jaxon, Madison and Maya; sister, Mona (Bob) Burton, Plainfield, IN, brothers, Gail (Shirley) Tilton and Vernon (Jean) Tilton, Blaine, MN; Robert (Bonnie) Tilton, Amery, WI; brother-in-law, Craig (Cindy) Johnston, Red Wing, MN and many nieces, nephews, cousins and other loving family and friends.

A Celebration of Ray's Life will be held at Faith Lutheran Church in Balsam Lake on Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 1:00 P.M.  Ray's family will greet visitor on Tuesday at the Faith Lutheran Church Fireside Room from 4:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. and then again on Wednesday one hour prior to the service in the church sanctuary.

Honorary Pallbearers are Steve Wilhelm, D.C. Holihan, Tim Moore, Darryl Nelson, Todd Angel and Dennis Anderson.

The Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria has been entrusted with arrangements.