Mathilda “Tillie” Colby, 97, of Stronghurst, Illinois, formerly of Burlington and New London, passed on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at SE Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington with her son and daughter-in-law by her side. Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Mediapolis. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. A private family burial will be held in the Burge Cemetery in New London. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in memory of Tillie. Online condolences for the family may be sent to www.sandhfuneralservice.com.
Mathilda Bernice Grinnell was born on June 8, 1928, in Burlington, Iowa, the daughter of Emil Thomas and Ida Lillian (Schilb) Grinnell. On April 2, 1948, Tillie was united in marriage to Wendell Dale “Pete” Colby in Burlington. She worked at Sylvania for 19 years and then General Electric for over 20 years. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Stronghurst and Eastern Star. Tillie enjoyed quilting, crocheting, gardening, traveling, visiting her sister and word find books, but most of she loved to spend time with her family, especially the grandchildren.
Tillie will be deeply missed by her son, Craig (Karen) Colby of Stronghurst, Illinois; grandchildren, Kimberly (Eric) Snyder of Riverside, Iowa and Clayton (Jessica) Colby of Washington, Iowa; great-grandchildren, Sean (Jessica) Snyder, Chanda (Cody) Timmerman, Carter (Hanna) Colby, Chance Colby and special friend Michenna Davis, Christian Colby and special friend, Juvixsa Valdez and Kinley Colby; seven great-great grandchildren; one sister, Delores “Toots” Underwood of Danville; brother-in-law, Wayne Ertzinger and several nieces and nephews.
Tillie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wendell; granddaughter, Karla Colby; two sisters, Ramona (Doren) Bumgardener and Veronica Ertzinger and brother-in-law, Leroy Underwood.