Obituary of John Francis Tilleman

John Francis Tilleman, beloved father, grandfather, and brother, passed away on the eve of Sunday, November 8, 2020, due to cardiac arrest. Born to Gail and John Tilleman in Elmhurst, Illinois, on August 29, 1948, he moved to a resort in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, as a child along with his siblings Renee and Paul (his youngest sister Betty was born in Camdenton). After John was honorably discharged from the army, he moved to Southern California and pursued a newfound passion for acting and writing. He started a family with Virginia Hanson, and later returned to his roots in the Ozarks.

John was known in the lake area by his charisma, charm, and Hollywood smile. He was Camdenton’s top real estate agent, whose slogan encapsulated his drive and spirit: “Work with the Best.”  He loved America and American sports and was a fan of the Chiefs and Cardinals, as well as the Los Angeles Lakers. He loved the black-and-white westerns of his childhood and could quote many of them. Furthermore, he enjoyed entertaining his family by singing “Under the Boardwalk,” spontaneously playing characters, and sharing words of wisdom.

John is survived by his youngest sister Betty Gail, his children Brittany Dawn, Storee Day (Eoin) Quinn, and JonPaul Arnett, and his grandchildren Luna Williams and the Quinn daughters - Abigail, Daylee, and Fiadh. John loved and was life partners with the late Phyllis Morris, whose good nature always inspired him to be a better man. They shared a home for many years on a grassy hillside overlooking the Big Niangua.  He was further loved by Phyllis’s daughters Angela (Mark) Thill and Jade (Kevin) Sellers, and their children Joe, Logan, Connor, and Imogen.

John Francis Tilleman, lover of nature and life, we feel you in the sunshine, the sunsets, and the breeze. Thank you for your love, for all of the knowledge that we’ve been bestowed, for your insights, your wise cracks, and your zest for life. Rest in peace.

As there will be no formal service, we ask friends and colleagues to send any thoughts, condolences and stories to John’s children at letterstojohnny@gmail.com