John Dennis Tilghman, 83, of Princess Anne, Maryland departed this life on Monday, March 30,2026 at Bay Harbor Post Acute and Rehabilitation Center in Salisbury, Maryland. Born January 9, 1943, in Princess Anne, Maryland to the late John Levin and Anna Thirkield Tilghman.
He attended and graduated from Somerset Jr./Sr. High School. He was employed at Salisbury State University where he retired.
John dedicated his life to Jehovah and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on July 17, 1992. John was a loyal and faithful servant. John served as a ministerial servant, caring for various responsibilities. He loved talking to others about the Bible’s message of paradise to come. He loved Jehovah and his family of Christian friends, with all his heart. He was always willing to help in any way that he could.
He is survived by one sister, Lana A. Bailey; brother-in-law, Fortune R. Bailey, nephews and nieces, Maurice Bailey, Stephanie Bailey, Kesha Bailey and Sharonne Bailey-Hearne; many other loving nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces and numerous cousins; special friends, Dave Wallace, Dave Adams and Samuel Howell.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Floyd Levin Tilghman and Granville Melvin Tilghman, Sr.
A funeral service will be held 2:00PM Saturday, April 11, 2026at The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 31281 Curtis Chapel Road, Westover, Maryland with a viewing one hour prior. A public viewing will be held 2:00PM-6:00PM Friday, April 10, 2026 at Anthony E. Ward, Jr. Funeral Home in Princess Anne, Maryland.
Interment will be at Saint James Historical Church Cemetery in Oriole, Maryland.
Topic: John Tilghman Service
Time: Apr 11, 2026 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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15 Responses
My condolences to the family of Brother John Tilghman. We will see you in paradise. Rev. 21:3,4.
My condolences to the Tilghman family at this time, cousin Dimp was a comical person , always had a positive attitude ,l visit him at the nursing home we had some good laughs, going to miss my cousin but God knows best Love to my cousins, cousin Barbara and Williams family.
Oh how I will wait patiently until we can see our dear brother Tilghman again as Jehovah promises in the bible, let us all live by Gods standards and rise again someday, but as for now John rests.
Condolences to the family of John (dimples) Tilghman. 🙏 RIP MY COUSIN, wo loved his Bible. Never saw him with out it. Love you Dimples. Bootsie and faimly
Condolences to Lana and family. Will surely be missed. Cousin Bootsie and family.
Some people leave behind more than memories—they leave pieces of themselves in you. That’s who he was to me. My buddy, always making me laugh and always there with real, honest advice. I’m so thankful I got to know him. Rest easy.
Condolences to Lana and the family of our dear classmate of 1961, John Dimples Tilghman. May your memories, as well as ours, be ever lasting and healing with God’s love and peace.
William Dennis
Somerset Jr, Sr. High Class of 1961
My condolences to the family. John was a good friend of mine. Sorry for your loss
He always made me smile and had encouraging words to say. Gonna be missed
Lana I am so sorry for your loss. Last time I saw John walked away rolling my eyes. Always teasing me about something.
To Stephanie and family:
I am sending you prayers and condolences to you and the family
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork. Psalm 19: 1
(KJV). To my Tilghman Family, Some people are thought about often and always with a Smile.
Cousin, JoyeMae Tilghman Moody
To my Tilghman , Some people are thought about often and always with a smile.
I will always remember our family coming down in the summers from Bethayres, Pennsylvania, and
staying with our Aunt Lolia Barkley or out grandparents John and Lottie Tilghman. Were we would
meet new relatives and walking to church and Sunday School on Sundays.
Love, Joye MaeTilghman Moody.
Dear family
John was John. Such a loving, loyal and caring person. We will miss cleaning the ladies room at the Assembly Hall with you and having you at the annual Super Bowl party and bringing you your own baggy of candy to the meeting and laughing while rattle the candy paper trying to get to it. Our sympathies are with the family during this time. But Jehovah will strengthen and care for us all through this loss. Jehovah knew John was a precious gem and so do we.
Tyrone & Joyce Murray
HUGS from California. Across the miles we send love and support.
Love, 1st Cousin Judy, 2nd Cousins Jasmine and Briana, and my husband Frank.