Doris Jean “Tilly” Underhill, 93, of Ottawa, passed away Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at The Pavilion of Ottawa with her family by her side.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 17, from 12:00pm until 2:00pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will follow at 2:00pm. Burial will be immediately after the funeral ceremony in Oakwood Memorial Park.
Tilly was born October 5, 1931 in Ottawa, IL to Roy and Randol (Peterson) Prater. She married the love of her life, James Spence, on June 25, 1949. He passed away on June 12, 1971. She then married her late husband, Arthur Underhill, on October 16, 1972. He preceded her in death on December 4, 2016.
Tilly enjoyed crocheting and reading. She was always up to date on all the Hollywood Stars. She enjoyed shopping and rarely missed an opportunity to go out. She loved her family. Her best memories were made when she was with them. She especially loved the trip they took together for her to see the ocean for the first time. She also went to many country concerts with her family. She was a resident of Liberty Village for many years and made many lasting friends playing bunco and doing crafts.
She is survived by her children, James (Sue) Spence, Darlene Adams, Kevin Spence, Doreen (Mark) Dobberstein, and Denise (William) Myers; her step son, Michael (Linda) Underhill; 14 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren, and 7 great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Randol; the love of her life, James; her late husband, Arthur; her step son, Thomas Underhill; her son in law, Ed Adams; and her siblings, William Prater, Lorraine Mander, Beverly Jovanovich, and 2 in infancy.
Pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Shannon Wawerski, Jessica Drake, Tiffany Green, Sara Dobberstein, Jake Dobberstein, and Griffin Dobberstein. Honorary Pallbearers will be her son in laws, William Myers and Mark Dobberstein.
Memorial contributions in Tilly’s honor may be directed to the family.
Doris was laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer at Oakwood Memorial Park.