Karen Sue Tilly

Karen Sue Tilly—affectionately known as “Meems” and “KT”—passed away peacefully on July 9, 2025, in her hometown of Peoria, Illinois. Born August 12, 1942, Karen was a proud graduate of Peoria Central High School and attended Illinois State University.

Karen built a successful career in the insurance industry, working for Great Central Insurance, Monge Insurance, and Naab and O’Rourke Insurance. Outside of work, she lived a vibrant, active life filled with competition, creativity, and connection. A standout bowler, Karen held multiple women’s records in the Peoria area and participated in numerous leagues over the years. She also loved Bridge Club, aerobics, Jazzercise, walking with friends, and singing in the Belles of Harmony choral group.

Karen was known for her sharp wit, loving nature, and glamorous presence. She was generous, funny, irreverent, competitive, and tough—yet always sincere, dependable, and deeply protective of those she loved. She had a flair for the dramatic (“It’s over,” she’d proclaim if her team gave up the first point), but nothing brought her greater joy than the lives and accomplishments of her children and grandchildren. She showed up for them with unwavering love and pride—always present, always supportive.

Karen is survived by her devoted husband, Philip Tilly of Peoria; her sons, Todd (Catherine) Tilly of Geneva, IL, and Brad (Kelley) Tilly of Tucson, AZ; her sister, Vicki Kennedy of Peoria; and her brother, John (Diane) Lynd of Peoria. She was the proud grandmother of Zach (Shea) Tilly of Washington, D.C., Olivia (David) Flynn of Chicago, IL, Samantha (Luca) Hansen of Phoenix, AZ, and Lucy Tilly of Chicago, IL; and great-grandmother to Jude, Nora, and Ella.

She was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Virginia Lynd, and father, John Lynd (also known as John Tuntas).

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Barrack’s East Port Banquet Center in East Peoria. All who knew and loved Karen are welcome to attend and share memories.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Karen’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, an organization she deeply admired. https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/Donation2?df_id=5940&5940.donation=form1&PROXY_ID=8864883&PROXY_TYPE=20&FR_ID=154020&set.DonationLevel=undefined&pw_id=5004