Person Page 4,213

John Sierocki died on 3 November 1954 in Saginaw, Saginaw, Michigan.¹ He was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Saginaw, Saginaw, MIchigan.¹

Dorothy B. Dafoe was born on 6 June 1911 in Michigan.^1,2 She died on 5 November 1982, at age 71, in Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan.² She was buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery (Section D, Lot 283-W, Grave #2A), Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan.²

William A. Tillman was born on 22 September 1931 in Michigan.^1,2 He died on 5 October 1997, at age 66.² He was buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Kent, MIchigan.²

Thomas (Tom) Eugene Tillman, Sr., was born on 21 May 1934 in Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan.^1,2,3 He died on 6 February 2004, at age 69.^2,3 He was buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery (Section D, Lot 283-W, Grave #2B), Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan.²

Thomas (Tom) Eugene Tillman, Sr., was an Owner in Tillman's Restaurant.⁴ RESTAURATEUR KNOWN FOR FINE FOOD, SERVICE

THOMAS TILLMAN SR. WENT INTO THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS IN 1980

In an age of corporate eateries and chain restaurants, Thomas Tillman Sr. bucked the trend by building an institution on old-school values -- a good meal at a fair price.

The 69-year-old owner of Tillman's Restaurant died Friday.

Mr. Tillman started his namesake restaurant in 1980 after selling his previous business, Model Table Covers.

The restaurant business was in his blood. His parents, Walter and Dorothy Tillman, owned Dot and Dash Restaurant on Leonard Street for many years.

Despite changing styles in the restaurant industry, Tillman's remained largely the same. The windowless restaurant with the burgundy booths has kept its Chicago steakhouse feel.

It is one of the few restaurants in West Michigan where smoking is allowed in much of the dining room. Steaks are a specialty.

It also has maintained its commitment to fine food and service, said Mr. Tillman's son, Thomas Tillman Jr., who worked with his father at the restaurant.

"Everybody does know everyone's name who comes in here," he said. "My father was here all the time, every day, every night. And he enjoyed doing it."

Tillman's replaced Belmonte's restaurant at 1245 Monroe Ave. NW. In 1980, the elder Tillman said he got into the business because he always wanted his own restaurant and "couldn't stand retirement."

Tillman's carved out a niche by not changing, said Tommy Brann, president of the Brann's chain of eight restaurants.

Brann's father, John Brann Sr., enjoyed dining at Tillman's, the younger Brann said.

"It was a place from the old times, and I do mean that as a compliment," Brann said.

Mr. Tillman worked daily at the restaurant, his son said.

"He put all his heart into it," said Tillman Jr.

Mr. Tillman also is survived by another son, Larry, and several other relatives.

There will be no funeral home services or visitation. A remembrance for family and friends will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 23 at Tillman's Restaurant.

THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS, Grand Rapids, Mich., Tues., Feb. 10, 2004.

Janet Fae Tillman was born on 18 December 1937 in Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan.^1,2 She and Donald Richard Grubaugh were divorced Yes.³ She and Donald Richard Grubaugh were married on 27 October 1956.³ She died on 7 November 1998, at age 60, in Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan.² She was buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Kent, MIchigan.

Janet Fae Tillman was born in 1937 to Walter F. Tillman and Dorothy L. Dafoe. She was married three times. She first married Donald Richard Grubaugh on 27 Oct 1956. They had one child - Donald Richard Grubaugh, Jr. (1957-2009). Donald and Janet divorced and she married J. Schoolmeester on 27 Feb 1978 in Guilford County, NC. They also divorced and she married Lester Francis Grubaugh, Jr. (a brother of Donald Richard Grubaugh, Sr.) on 14 Sep 1979 in Brunswick, Medina, OH.

Janet's obituary is as follows:
Janet F. Grubaugh (nee Tillman). aged 60, of Grand Rapids, fought a courageous battle with cancer until she passed away Saturday, November 7, 1998. Surviving are her son, Donald (Linda) Grubaugh II of Wyoming, three grandchildren, Derek, Angela and Brandon; a brother, Thomas Tillman; sister, Karen (Ronald) Peasley; friend and former husband, Donald Grubaugh, Sr., several nieces and nephews. The Funeral Service will be conducted Tuesday at 1 PM at the funeral home, Rev. Robert Hinklin officiating. Interment Mt. Calvary Cemetery. The family will receive visitors Sunday 7 to 9 PM and Monday 2 to 4 PM and 7 to 9 PM at the Arsulowicz Brothers Mortuary West, 585 Stocking Ave. Memorial contributions to Home of Hope will be appreciated. (Obituary by Arsulowicz, West.)

Donald Richard Grubaugh was born on 2 January 1938 in Mecosta County, Michigan.³ He and Janet Fae Tillman were divorced Yes.² He and Janet Fae Tillman were married on 27 October 1956.² He was married on 5 February 1972.² He died on 8 April 2005, at age 67, in Kentwood, Kent, Michigan.³ He was buried in Hinton Cemetery, Mecosta County, Michigan.³

Donald Richard Grubaugh was in Walker Recreation Department.² Donald Richard Grubaugh was born in Lakeview, Mecosta, MI on 2 Jan 1938 to Lester Franklin Grubaugh and Princess Louise "Princie" Allen. He was married twice - first to Janet Fae Tillman on 27 Oct 1956 and then to Violet Grace Wilson on 5 Feb 1972. His only child, Donald Richard Grubaugh, II, was born to Donald and Janet in 1957.

Here is Donald's obituary:
Grand Rapids Press - April 9, 2005
Donald R. Grubaugh Sr.
GRUBAUGH - Mr. Donald R. Grubaugh, Sr. aged 67, of Wyoming, passed away Friday April 8, 2005. Surviving are his son, Donald Grubaugh II and fiancee, Beckie; three grandchildren, Derek, Angie and Brandon Grubaugh; daughter-in-law, Linda; three nephews, Richard, Danny and Tony and one niece, Connie. He was a former softball director at Cannonsburg for 14 years and currently with Walker Recreation Dept. A Funeral and Committal Service will be Monday 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment Hinton Cemetery, Lakeview. His family will receive visitors Sunday 6 to 9 p.m. at the Arsulowicz Brothers Mortuary, 585 Stocking NW. ARSULOWICZ BROTHERS WEST CHAPEL.

Donald Richard Grubaugh, Jr., was born on 3 August 1957 in Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan.¹ He died on 30 July 2009, at age 51, in Grandville, Kent, Michigan.¹ He was buried Cremated.¹

Donald Richard Grubaugh, II, was born in 1957 to Donald Richard Grubaugh and Janet Fae Tillman. He was their only child.
Donald spent most of his life in Kent County, MI. He was married three times.
He first married Phyllis Rae Evans on 13 Nov 1976 in Kent County, MI and they divorced 17 Feb 1978, also in Kent County. They didn't have any children.
Donald then married Linda Marie Worst on 6 Dec 1980 in Kent County. They had three children -
Derek James, Angela "Angie" Marie, and Brandon Michael.
He later married Penny Cummings.

Here is Donald's newspaper obituary:
bituary: Grand Rapids Press, Grand Rapids, MI, Aug 11, 2009
Donald Grubaugh II
GRUBAUGH - Donald Grubaugh II passed away Friday, July 31, 2009. He will be sadly missed by his children, Derek, Angela and Brandon; special friend, Beckie Smith and family, Bret and Kelsie; two special grandchildren; many relatives. A private service will be held.

Donald's arrangements were handled by Arsulowicz Brothers in Grand Rapids and they confirmed that Donald was cremated and the cremains given to the family.