Al R. Tillman

Al R. Tillman, age 82 of Little Falls, MN passed away Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at the St. Cloud Hospital. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, November 8, 2008 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls with the Rev. Nick Landsberger officiating. Interment will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls. Friends may call from 9:00-11:00 A.M. Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls. Al Tillman was born June 10, 1926, in Little Falls, Morrison County to the late John and Theresa (Zyvoloski) Tillman. He was raised on a farm eight miles southeast of Little Falls, near Sobieski. He attended and graduated from Little Falls High School. Following high school, Al worked in the Twin Cities. He entered the United States Army on January 20, 1945 from Fort Snelling, MN serving in the Philippines and Korea. He received the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal. Al received an Honorable Discharge on December 31, 1946. Al returned to Minnesota attending and graduating from the Minneapolis Business College and from the Midwest Banking Institute at the University of Minnesota-Morris. He was united in marriage to Bernice Selinski on June 5, 1950, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Bowlus, MN. Bernice died November 9, 1996. Al began his banking career with First Bank of Little Falls. Al progressed through every level of banking, beginning in the Bookkeeping Department, moving on to Teller and then Auditor. In 1956, he was promoted to Time Pay Manager. As an officer of the bank, he steadily advanced until he was named Vice-President in 1965. Al's primary area in banking was in agri-business loans and responsible for clerking auction sales. He retired December 31, 1982. Al was active in civic affairs throughout his banking career. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls, Little Falls Lions Club since 1962, of which he served as President in 1971. He was a member of the Little Falls American Legion Post #46, a life member of the Little Falls V.F.W. Post #1112, Knights of Columbus and served on the Advisory Board of St. Otto's Care Center. Al was an avid golfer and enjoyed bowling. Since 1997, he has cherished his time with, Shirley VanDenheuvel and family. Al is survived by his daughters & son, Debbie (Wayne) Kovensky of Minneapolis, MN, Ron (Kim) Tillman of Sartell, MN, Jane Tillman of Little Falls, MN and Sherry (Andy) Binsfeld of Albany, MN; grandchildren, Eric Vosen, Matthew Rausch, Stephanie and Sean Tillman. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bernice; parents and a sister, Helen Szyplinski.