John Fulton Tilghman

SALISBURY -- John F. Tilghman, 96, died Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, at Wicomico Nursing Home in Salisbury.

John was born July 11, 1913, in Wicomico County to the late Dennis F. Tilghman and Lola (Wimbrow) Tilghman. Mr. Tilghman graduated from Wicomico High School in 1930 and Goldey Business College in Wilmington. He was a Navy veteran serving in World War II. After working for 20 years in the oil business with the Holt Oil Co., Mr. Tilghman began his own company, John F. Tilghman & Sons Inc., in 1952. The business continues today.

Mr. Tilghman was past president of the Federalsburg Lions Club and the Delmarva Heat Association. He was a Caroline County trial magistrate from1959-1965 and served as mayor of Federalsburg in the 1970s. Both Mr. and Mrs. Tilghman were avid golfers and charter members of the Caroline Country Club. Other memberships included the American Legion in Denton, Greenhill Yacht & Country Club and the Elks Lodge in Salisbury.

He is survived by three sons and their spouses, Stanley and Peggy Tilghman, Philip and Carol Tilghman of Salisbury and Jack and Donna Tilghman of Pocomoke City; eight grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ruth Timmons Tilghman; brother, Jason S. Tilghman; and a sister, Kathleen Keilholtz.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Holloway Funeral Home, where friends may call one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Wicomico Memorial Park in Salisbury. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Jason and Louise Tilghman Trust, c/o Seidel, Baker & Tilghman, 110 N. Division St., Salisbury, Md. 21802.

John married Ruth Elizabeth Timmons. (Ruth Elizabeth Timmons was born on 13 Aug 1918 in Wicomico Co., MD,⁴ died on 19 Apr 2000 in Wicomico Co., MD and was buried about 22 Apr 2000 in Wicomico Memorial Park, Salisbury, Wicomico Co., MD.)