Michael F. Tillman, 59, Enjoyed Scuba Diving

He was born March 28, 1956 in Williamsburg, Virginia and had resided in Lorain most of his life.

Mike graduated from Lorain High School and Lorain County Community College where he received an Associate Degree in Information Technology. For several years, Mike was one of the featured students in LCCC newspaper and billboard advertising.

Mike worked at the Lorain Palace Theater as the building technical and maintenance manager and met many of the famous artists who performed there.

Mike was in to life’s adventures. He and his brothers enjoyed scuba diving and dove to over 50 shipwrecks in the Great Lakes. Mike became a Great Lakes shipwreck historian and used many of his dives as inspiration to write, compose and record his own music. On many of his recordings, he played each instrument. He recorded four CD’s under the band name Erie Diver Down. He recently donated his CD’s to the Lorain Public Library so they can be lent out.

He was a simple man but touched the lives of many others. He was family centric and loved his dogs Radar & Oscar. He was proud of Lorain and the community and was a member of the Lorain Growth Corporation. Mike was featured in many articles in the Morning Journal.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years Dianne Tillman (nee Jaworski), stepchildren: Jodi Jaworski (Michael) of Mentor, Rickie Jaworski (Angie) of LaGrange and Matthew Jaworski (Marie) of Port St. Lucie, Florida; 10 stepgrandchildren; 2 step great grandchildren; brothers: John Tillman (Patti) of Roswell, Georgia, Tom Tillman (Linda) of Lorain and Eric Tillman (Cindy) of Amherst Township; sister Janet Grueser (Paul) of Elyria and 14 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents John C. “Mike” Tillman in 2003 and Eleanor “Honey” Tillman (nee DePalma) in 1998.

The family will receive friends Saturday March 12th from 2-4, 6-8 pm at the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave, Lorain. A celebration of his life will be held Sunday March 13th at 1:00 pm at the Lorain Palace Theater, 617 Broadway Ave, Lorain. The Rev. Jimmy Madsen, pastor of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lorain, will preside. Cremation will take place and his brothers will scuba dive to one of his favorite shipwrecks to place his ashes inside at a later date.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Palace Theater, 617 Broadway Ave, Lorain, OH. 44052.

Online condolences can be made at www.gluvna.net.