Obituary for Catherine Ford Tilmann (Habes)
Born Catherine A. Habes May 22, 1943 in Chicago, Illinois, she died peacefully in her sleep March 21, 2021 in Mt Pleasant Michigan.
She was predeceased by husband Fred Ford and husband Richard Tilmann. Cathy graduated second in her class at Morton East H.S. Cicero, Illinois and graduated cum laude from University of Illinois Chicago with a degree in nursing. Cathy was a driving force in the Illinois Civil Air Patrol and received her pilot's license, flying often throughout the Midwest. Cathy Tilmann supported West Michigan Aviation Academy at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport for future pilots. Cathy achieved two degrees from the Naturopathic Health Institute in Natural Health Education and Therapy. Cathy was a life-long learner at CMU. Cathy worked as an RN and retired from the State of Michigan.
Retirement meant little to Cathy as she volunteered in many capacities at the Broadway Theatre, homeschooling groups and as a Board member at Greentree Food Co-Op, Mt Pleasant Airport Advisory Board and Chippewa District River Library Board.
Cathy loved Science Fiction and went on Star Trek Cruises dressed as a Klingon. She was one of the first FAN FICTION writers ever. She loved to sail her Westerly.
Cathy loved animals and enjoyed her horses, dogs, cats and rabbits. There was not a bad soul in any animal to Cathy.
Cathy Tilmann achieved her 5th degree Dan Black Belt at Gateway Martial Arts in October 2012. She had belts in numerous other styles as well. Cathy had her own studio for many years in Remus and in Mt Pleasant. She started the Mt Pleasant Homeschool group TKD, and expanded with Dan and Jon Prewett, her two favorite black belts.
She is survived by her adoring brothers John (Kathy) Habes of Glenview IL, Bob (Cathy) Habes of St Charles Il. Her children by marriage Ellen Marie Ford Edgar (Dennis) Princeton NJ, Ed Ford (Shirley) Belton MO , Gwynn Tilmann (Brad) of Mt Pleasant MI, her family-by-marriage Sharon Tilmann, Dave and Patty Krcmarik, Steve Krcmark, Chris and Vicki Wakeman plus grandchildren and great grandchildren. Cathy’s special friends included The Donna Kriss family and Glen Hughes.
She was predeceased by husband Fred Ford and husband Richard Tilmann. Cathy graduated second in her class at Morton East H.S. Cicero, Illinois and graduated cum laude from University of Illinois Chicago with a degree in nursing. Cathy was a driving force in the Illinois Civil Air Patrol and received her pilot's license, flying often throughout the Midwest. Cathy Tilmann supported West Michigan Aviation Academy at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport for future pilots. Cathy achieved two degrees from the Naturopathic Health Institute in Natural Health Education and Therapy. Cathy was a life-long learner at CMU. Cathy worked as an RN and retired from the State of Michigan.
Retirement meant little to Cathy as she volunteered in many capacities at the Broadway Theatre, homeschooling groups and as a Board member at Greentree Food Co-Op, Mt Pleasant Airport Advisory Board and Chippewa District River Library Board.
Cathy loved Science Fiction and went on Star Trek Cruises dressed as a Klingon. She was one of the first FAN FICTION writers ever. She loved to sail her Westerly.
Cathy loved animals and enjoyed her horses, dogs, cats and rabbits. There was not a bad soul in any animal to Cathy.
Cathy Tilmann achieved her 5th degree Dan Black Belt at Gateway Martial Arts in October 2012. She had belts in numerous other styles as well. Cathy had her own studio for many years in Remus and in Mt Pleasant. She started the Mt Pleasant Homeschool group TKD, and expanded with Dan and Jon Prewett, her two favorite black belts.
She is survived by her adoring brothers John (Kathy) Habes of Glenview IL, Bob (Cathy) Habes of St Charles Il. Her children by marriage Ellen Marie Ford Edgar (Dennis) Princeton NJ, Ed Ford (Shirley) Belton MO , Gwynn Tilmann (Brad) of Mt Pleasant MI, her family-by-marriage Sharon Tilmann, Dave and Patty Krcmarik, Steve Krcmark, Chris and Vicki Wakeman plus grandchildren and great grandchildren. Cathy’s special friends included The Donna Kriss family and Glen Hughes.