Juanita Mae Titsworth, 98, of Hillsboro, died at 2:35 a.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025, peacefully at Montgomery Nursing and Rehabilitation in Taylor Springs.
A memorial visitation will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 4, at the First Baptist Church in Hillsboro, followed by a memorial service at 11:45 a.m., which will be officiated by Pastor Breck Nelson. Burial will take place immediately after the service at Oak Grove Cemetery in Hillsboro.
Mrs. Titsworth was born on Sept. 4, 1926, in Irving, to Hartwell and Alice (Rhinehart) Schoeneweis. She spent her entire life in Montgomery County, graduating from Hillsboro High School in 1944 after attending school in Irving during her youth. She enrolled in nursing school for a time, but life led her on a different path.
On June 22, 1946, she married the love of her life, Kenneth Titsworth. They shared over 70 wonderful years together until his passing in March 2017.
Mrs. Titsworth was known for her incredible work ethic— never afraid of hard work or getting her hands dirty—and her big personality. She spent three decades at Sears in customer service and another 35 years with H&R Block. In her later years, she became a greeter at Kmart, where she quickly developed a reputation for her gift for conversation.
Though she and her husband had no children, Mrs. Titsworth had a deep love for kids, especially her nieces and nephews and later, their children. She was a nurturer at heart and had a kind, easy spirit. She was also an animal lover, especially fond of dogs, and had a home with several feline friends over the years.
Stylish, outgoing, and endlessly energetic, Mrs. Titsworth was truly a social butterfly. The couple loved entertaining and hosted countless dinners and parties. They owned and operated a fishing resort in northern Minnesota and spent winters as snowbirds in Lantana, FL. No matter the season, they enjoyed decorating for every holiday. A woman of deep faith, Mrs. Titsworth was actively involved in her church communities in Hillsboro, Park Rapids and Lantana. She taught Sunday School, served faithfully and was immensely proud of her husband’s role in helping to build the First Baptist Church in Hillsboro, where they were devoted members.
In 2022, she was honored with induction into the Old Settlers Honor Society at the age of 96. Mrs. Titsworth lived 98 wonderful years with grace, good health and a generous heart.
Mrs. Titsworth was preceded in death by her parents, Hartwell and Alice; husband, Kenneth; sister, Alta Betoche; niece, Donna Springer; and sisters-in-law, Emma Cress and Wilma Hefley
She is survived by her nieces, Cindy (Steve) Simburger and Connie (Jim) Harling of Hillsboro; nephews, Carl (Cheryl) Cress, Max (Kim) Cress of Hillsboro, Bruce (Betty) Cress of Winfield and Jim Hefley of Collinsville; cousin, Pat Newsome of Granite City; nephew-in-law, Denny Springer of Hillsboro; and many great-nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mrs. Titsworth’s honor to: Hillsboro First Baptist Church, 209 East Kinkead Road, Hillsboro, Illinois 62049 and/or Meals on Wheels of CEFS, P.O. Box 144, Taylor Springs, Illinois, 62089.
