Janice Tilley

Janice Tilley, daughter of Joseph and Libbie (Korsa) Urban, was born September 1, 1930 at home in Elkhorn Township in Webster County, Iowa. She passed from this life August 14, 2017 at her home in Churdan, Iowa. She lived her life to the age of 86 years, 11 months and 13 days.

Funeral services were held Saturday, August 19, 2017 at Churdan United Methodist Church with Rev. David Arulnathan officiating. Burial was made in the Highland Township Cemetery in Churdan. Serving as pianist was Lori Anderson. Soloists, Doyle Carlson and Laura Minnihan, sang the musical selections “On Eagle’s Wings,” “The Lost Chord” and “Amazing Grace.” Serving as casket bearers were her grandchildren: Anneliese Detwiler, Jennifer Weeks, John Minnihan, Shea Minnihan, Kelly Minnihan, Mary Jo Koch, Lori Judge,  Kimberly Stephenson, Tami Tilley, Stacy Hardaway, Jacque Cunningham, Travis Tilley and Megan Walker.

Janice was educated at Tapper No. 7 Country School and Otho High School. Until she started kindergarten, she spoke only Bohemian. Since a small child, she shared her musical talents with family, friends and communities.

On October 29, 1947, Janice Urban was united in marriage to Raymond A. Tilley at the Methodist Church Parsonage in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Four children were born to this union. Raymond and Janice lived and farmed east of Churdan for 45 years and moved to their present home in Churdan in 1993. Raymond passed away October 31, 1995 and Janice continued to make her home in Churdan until her death.

Janice was an active member of the Churdan United Methodist Church, a member of the United Methodist Women, serving as chairman of the funeral and beef dinner committees for many years, and served as organist for both the Churdan and Paton Methodist Churches. Janice was a past member of the Paton-Churdan Activities and Music Boosters, a member of the Bohemian Hall, played drums with the Town and Country Band and was an active volunteer of the Churdan Public Library.

Janice especially enjoyed gardening, music, sewing and cooking for family. Holidays found her cooking for up to 60 people. She rarely missed activities involving her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. She loved taking an active part in the farming operation, including driving tractors and trucks. She also enjoyed being an active member of her church serving God wherever needed.

Janice is survived by her four children: Marilyn (Larry) Detwiler of Des Moines, Phyllis (Mike) Minnihan of Churdan, Dennis (Marilyn) Tilley of Churdan and David (Carman) Tilley of Jefferson; 13 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Josephine (Leonard) Jondle of Promise City, Iowa. Those who preceded her in death were her parents; husband; brother, Eugene Urban; and sisters, Frances Volf and twin sister, Jenny Urban.

The Brown Funeral Home of Churdan assisted the family.