Marcel George Tilmant, 97, passed away peacefully the morning of March 21, 2026 in Canton.

Marcel was born Sept. 2, 1928, in Barbençon, Belgium, a region of Hainaut in Walloon-speaking southern Belgium. He grew up in the working-class town of Charleroi, Belgium, in the 1930s and 1940s, a time marked by scarcity, resilience and rebuilding. Following the war, in August 1947, Marcel emigrated from Belgium with his parents, beginning a new chapter in the farmland of Ohio.

Not long after arriving in America, Marcel met and fell in love with June Plott, whom he married Aug. 20, 1950. Together, they built a life of devotion, hard work and quiet faithfulness. Marcel built a home near Minerva for his young family. After several years, he purchased a farm near Augusta, where he and June raised their six children.

A skilled carpenter, Marcel began his trade as a teenager, apprenticed to a master craftsman. He carried that discipline and pride in his work throughout his life. He was a man who preferred steady labor over words — faithful, diligent and committed to working with his hands. He was content with the rhythm of country life: time in his workshop, driving his tractor and tending the land he cared for so deeply. The family farm was not only a place of work, but also a place of beauty and belonging.

Marcel is survived by his six children: Timothy of Augusta; Mark (Debbie) of Mount Vernon; Joel (Erin) of Mount Vernon; Susan (Greg) of Brentwood, Tennessee; Annette (Dave) of Mount Vernon; and Becky (Bob) of Noblesville, Indiana. He is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, June; his parents, George and Valerie (Boroski) Tilmant; his siblings, Robert Tilmant, Ralph Tilmant and Muriel Goormastic; his granddaughter, Brienna Beer; and his great-granddaughter, Evie Grace Myers.

In his later years, Marcel remained on the family farm under the care of his son Tim — a gift made possible by the shared devotion of all six of his children. They honored him in word and deed, surrounding him with comfort and care through his final days.

Marcel loved the Lord and lived with a quiet, steady faith. He now rests in the presence of his Savior, whom he trusted and looked toward with eager expectation.

Funeral services were held Saturday, March 28, at 2 p.m. at Gotschall-Hutchison Funeral Home in Minerva with Philip Merki officiating.

Burial took place in Augusta Cemetery.

Calling hours were held two hours prior to services from noon to 2 p.m. at the funeral home.

Those wishing to send condolences may sign the online register at www.gotschallfuneralhome.com.