Royal Daniel Tillman, age 87, of Rush City, left this earth to be with his heavenly Father on Saturday, December 2, 2006.

Royal was born to Ben and Minnie Tillman on October 1, 1919 at their farm home near Rush City. He, his brother, and three sisters attended country schools in the area. Royal was 7 years old when he sat upon his mother's knee and accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. As a young man, he enjoyed playing softball and baseball, roller-skating, ice-skating, and cross-country skiing.

On August 16, 1947 Royal married Arleen Moline at her parent's home in Harris, MN. They bought the family dairy farm from Royal's father in 1950. Royal and Arleen lived on the farm until September 2003 when they moved into a new townhouse in Rush City. They were married for 59 years and raised three daughters, which brought them eight grandchildren.

Royal and Arleen were baptized during the same ceremony at the Rock Creek Baptist Church. Royal was an active member of this church, which later became a part of the Rush City Baptist Church. He had various roles within the church including Sunday school teacher, Deacon, Trustee, Awana volunteer, and Bible-Study leader.

After selling the dairy herd in 1968, royal worked at Braco Rubber Company, Hillcrest Nursing Home, and Aurelius Manufacturing Company. When he retired, Royal decided to learn the art of chainsaw sculpturing. He spent many hours in his workshop chain sawing pieces of wood to make sculptures of animals, birds, and other objects. He sold many of his woodcarvings to people in the surrounding area.

Beside chainsaw sculpturing, Royal enjoyed gardening and yard work, playing Carom and visiting with friends. He liked to play his harmonica, saw or bones to gospel music with the "Old Timers" musical group. Most of all, Royal loved to spend time with his family, read his Bible, and share his faith with others.

Royal died after a short stay at Green Acres Nursing Home. He is survived by his wife, Arleen; daughters Linda (Tim Hjelmeland) of St. Cloud, Vicki (Howard Hanson) of Rush City, and Holly (Dave Wicklund) of North Branch; sister, Jeannette (Bill Swanson); brother-in-law, Kenneth Swanson; eight grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

Royal was preceded in death by this parents, Ben and Minnie Tillman, his brother Wallace Tillman, sister Fern Bergfalk, sister Ruth Swanson, brother-in-law Leonard Bergfalk, and niece Judy (Simon) Bergfalk.

Funeral services were 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 6, 2006 at the Rush City Baptist Church where Royal was a long-time member. Pastor Dave Mellin officiated Music was provided by Pat Stenmo, organist; Nancy Moulton, vocalist; and the Old Timers gospel group.

Casket bearers were sons-in-law Howard Hanson, Tim Hjelmeland, David Wicklund, and grandsons Ryan Hanson, Dustin Hjelmeland, Jeremy Hanson, and Chad Hanson. Honorary casket bearers include Royal's granddaughters, Kelsey Hjelmeland, Lindsey Hanson, Katie Wicklund and Jessica Wicklund with the interment in the Oak Grove Cemetery in rural Harris. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City - Olson Chapel.

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