Henry Tilden Cornelius

H. Tilden “Til” Cornelius of Church Hill, Maryland died on October 28, 2009 at Chestertown Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Chestertown, MD. He was 97. He was born in Bayville, NJ on July 7, 1912 the son of the late, Henry T. and Catherine Bower Cornelius. He attended Toms River High School and at an early age went to work for a dairy farm where he not only worked but also delivered milk. His milk route facilitated his meeting and marrying Mary E. “Bette” Hansel on March 27, 1935. Mr. Cornelius owned and operated Cornelius Service Center in Toms River from 1940-1953. He purchased, serviced, and maintained a bus for Toms River Presbyterian Church where he was also a member. He also served as special deputy sheriff for Ocean County New Jersey. Mr. Cornelius enjoyed many happy outings on the family houseboat and sea skiff on Barnegat Bay. He loved the water, hunting, fishing and trapping. Following the death of his daughter, Dale at the age of 15, he and his family moved to their farm in Church Hill, Maryland. In Church Hill, Mr. Cornelius operated a dairy herd for 10 years; he later worked with Southern States as a field representative, where he received the Vanguard Award for customer service. Following a foot injury, Mr. Cornelius retired in the early 1970’s. He returned to the family’s farm and continued operations. On November 8, 1993 his wife predeceased him after 56 years of marriage, On March 9, 1996 he married Sara Jane Wentz, she predeceased him in 2001. Mr. Cornelius had recently been a resident of Chestertown Nursing and Rehabilitation where he received excellent care. He loved visitors, children, and was happiest clearing land and improving the farm. Mr. Cornelius is survived by his son, Tilden Douglas “Doug” Cornelius and his wife, Linda Karter Cornelius of Church Hill, MD; a sister, Evelyn Weston and her husband, John of Culpepper, VA; a sister in law, Doris Thompson of Easton, MD, along with several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, Clifford Cornelius and William Cornelius and a sister, Erma Flood. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. at Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home, 130 Speer Road, Chestertown, MD, where relatives and friends may call on Friday, November 6, 2009 between the hours of 7:00 and 8:30. Interment will be in St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Cemetery in Church Hill, MD.

Henry Tilden Cornelius

July 7, 1912 - October 28, 2009