CHANNIE HAROLD TILTON , 80, of Crow Hill, Groveton, died Sunday, January 31, 2021, at Country Village-Genesis Elder Care Center in Lancaster due to complications of COVID-19.
Channie was born on April 17, 1940, in Groveton a son of Edward Channie and Florence Gladys (Faulkenham) Tilton, and was a lifelong resident of Groveton. Channie was a graduate of Groveton High School, class of 1958. He was a Veteran of the US Army. He was proud to be a papermaker all his life and loved his work. He was married to Amelia "Nicky" for 58 years. A beloved husband, father, son and brother, and uncle. Channie was always willing to impart his knowledge and wisdom from the standpoint of his own experiences and struggles as they related to his children. He would always lend them his help and fatherly advice when he felt his children needed it most. He had a knack for giving them what they needed without solicitation in the most timely and appropriate manner. In doing so, he was always firm but fair.
Channie loved to watch his children in school athletics, and always encouraged them to do their best. He coached from his truck or the bleachers while at sporting events and never hesitated to give us his rendition of how it should be done. He was proud of his children at graduation times, first jobs, and successes. He danced with his wife at all the weddings of his children and celebrated the births and unions of his grandchildren with joy. It was these grandchildren who transformed his heart, life, and actions from father to grandparent making him appear, like all grandparents, to have grown another heart.
As with his children, Channie could not wait to teach his grandchildren how to hunt and fish and imparted to them the need for respecting the delicate balance of nature and the great outdoors. Their hunting stories echoed around the dinner table often, and somehow the fish seemed to get "bigger" and the bucks got "heavier" with each story. How he loved to tell camp and hunting stories of days gone by while hunting, fishing and snowmobiling with his Uncle, Floyd "Gramp" Willey, and his brothers, Edward and Arnold—the Trio Ponds crew. His repeated recounting of these hilarious events was accompanied by much eye-rolling and giggles by his children from having heard them so many times before. Nevertheless, we would laugh along with him as if we were hearing them for the first time. When he could no longer hunt with the larger group due to a spinal injury he incurred, he would wait to hear the hunting and fishing stories from his sons and grandchildren with great anticipation, and he listened to them with laughter and pride.
He enjoyed having his family around the holidays, chaotic as they seemed to be. He and his wife, Amelia, were always in their glory at these times. It is hard to say goodbye to our father and husband, but we shall all hold him and his memories close to our hearts and minds, and will, no doubt, tell his stories on down the line — after all, we are Tiltons, and we have come to repeat these same stories to our own families. Dad, you and your love for us all and your love for the great outdoors shall be in our hearts and minds forever.
Channie is survived by his wife of 58 years Amelia "Nicky" (Onofrio) Tilton of Groveton; three children Shelly Philbrick and husband Keith of Holderness; Brian Tilton and wife Nora of Grantham and Steven Tilton and wife Brenda of Groveton; grandchildren Garrett and wife Madison; Connor; Madison; Tyler and wife Tanisha; and Matthew; two brothers Arnold Tilton and Edward Tilton; one nephew Michael Emery and wife Cheryl.
He was predeceased by his parents and one sister Pearl Tilton.
There will be no calling hours or services at this time. Graveside service will be held on June 4, 2021, at 10:00 am in the Northumberland Cemetery, with Pastor Patricia Williams of the Groveton United Methodist Church officiating. Arrangements are entrusted to the Armstrong-Charron Funeral Home in Groveton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Channie's name to the Alzheimer's Association; act.alz.org

To send the family your condolences via the online register book, please visit, www.armstrongcharronfuneralhome.com