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Arnold "Arnie" James Tillema, 84, of Belvidere, Illinois, died peacefully at home on April 11, 2025. He was born January 6, 1941 in Friesland, Wisconsin, son to Albert and Dorothy (Sytsma) Tillema. Arnie graduated high school in 1959; from Milton College in 1963 with his Bachelor's degree in Education, playing both basketball and baseball; and Master's degree of Science in Teaching from the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire in 1973. He married his high school sweetheart, Mary Roberts, on May 2, 1964.

Arnie started his teaching career in Peoria, Illinois and continued in Milledgeville, Illinois before moving to Belvidere, where he taught at Belvidere Jr. High School, followed by Belvidere High School. Arnie had a profound effect on his students, as he was a Teacher of the Year finalist in the state of Illinois in 1992-1993 and inspired many students to go on to pursue careers in education, science, and medicine. Throughout the course of his teaching career, he also coached football, basketball, and baseball. Both in the classroom and as a coach, Arnie taught that it was most important to have a positive mental attitude (PMA).

Throughout his teaching career, Arnie spent many summers running Hickory Knolls Golf Center. He retired from teaching in 2000, but moved on to operating Barry T's Modernistic Engravers, formerly known as Barry T's Specialties, full time with his wife, Mary. He was an involved member of First United Methodist Church and a member of the Men's Club there. In his spare time, he coached numerous sports for Special Olympics Illinois year round, enjoyed golfing, watching his Chicago sports teams, and bird watching. In 2008, he was awarded the Distinguished Citizen Award by the Belvidere Area Chamber of Commerce.

Arnie is loved and will be dearly missed by his daughter, Lynne (Greg) Panzella; sons, Barry Tillema, Mark (Jenny) Tillema, Randy (Jessica) Tillema, and Keith (Christine) Tillema; grandchildren, Grant and Bryce Panzella, Karli, Sydney, and Sophie Tillema, Josephine and Genevieve Tillema, and Annlynne and Katlynne Tillema; brothers Gerald and Alfred (Winifred) Tillema; and many other cherished relatives.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary; parents, Albert and Dorothy; and brother, Donald.

A visitation will be held 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at First United Methodist Church, 610 Bonus Avenue, Belvidere, IL 61008. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Reverend Jim Bell will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Rockford SO at 1524 Bruner Street, Rockford, IL 61103. To light a candle or share a condolence, please visit www.andersonfcs.com.