Franklin M. Tiller

Franklin M. “Frank” Tiller, age 97 of Prairie du Chien passed away Saturday, December 3, 2022, at Prairie Maison in Prairie du Chien, surrounded by his family. He was born August 13, 1925, the son of Sidney and Rose (O’Mannion) Tiller. Frank worked as an assistant for Metcalf’s Funeral Home in Bloomington, WI and also helped operate their furniture store. He met the love of his life, Patricia Mason in LaCrosse, WI while she was attending LaCrosse State Teacher’s College. Frank and Patricia were married on November 24, 1949, in LaCrosse, WI at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church before moving to Prairie du Chien, where they opened Tiller’s Furniture in 1950. Together, they owned and operated Tiller’s Furniture store and raised their family in Prairie du Chien. Frank was a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus, founding member of the Prairie du Chien Chamber of Commerce, and LaPointe Award recipient. After nearly 60 years of marriage, Frank’s wife Patricia preceded him in death on September 7, 2009. He is survived by his children Maj. Sue Tiller, US Army ret. of Prairie du Chien, Mary (Glen) Jonas, M.D., D.C. of Cedarburg, WI, Mark Tiller of Prairie du Chien, Michele (Douglas Sherwood) Karr of Darien, CT, and CAPT Michael (Sarah) Tiller, M.D. USN of San Antonio, TX; his grandchildren Olivia, Jacob, Michael, Katherine, Helena (Tristan Spain), Joan, Patricia, Anna, Joseph, Gemma, and John Franklin; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Joseph M. Tiller, and his siblings Raymond Tiller, Henrietta Lins, Leona Ambort, Marie Elliot, and Sidney Tiller Jr.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, December 10, 2022, at 10:30 A.M. at St. John’s Church of the Holy Family Parish, Msgr. Charles Stoetzel officiating with burial in the Calvary Cemetery, both in Prairie du Chien. Friends may call at the Garrity Funeral Home on Friday, December 9, 2022, from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. and also at the funeral home on Saturday from 9:30 A.M. until the time of departure for the church. An Honor Guard will be provided by the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Frank’s family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the staff of Prairie Maison for their compassionate care over the years. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Joseph M. Tiller Scholarship Fund at Prairie Catholic Schools, 515 N. Beaumont Rd., Prairie du Chien, WI 53821. 

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