FARMINGTON — Donald Maynard Tilton, 79, a lifelong resident of Walker Hill Road, Wilton, passed peacefully at ‘chore time’ in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Oct. 18, at Franklin Memorial Hospital, following a long illness.

He was born April 23, 1932, in Wilton, a son of Royce and Pearl (Townsend) Tilton. He was educated in Wilton schools and on May 2, 1953, married Jean Adams. Together, on the family farm, they raised five children. She died on April 28, 2000.

Mr. Tilton was a well-known farmer who farmed for three generations; with his father, his brother and his boys. He enjoyed going to agricultural fairs and was a member of the New England Ox Teamsters, Maine Draft Horse and Ox Association and the Pine Tree Steer and Ox Association. He earned hundreds of ribbons and trophies over the years. A quiet, soft-spoken man, he loved his life-work, his family and friends, and most especially, his grand and great-grandchildren.

He leaves his companion, Thelma Brown of Wilton, with whom he shared many road trips throughout New England; his five children, Nancy Frost and her companion, Al Kalloch, of Farmingdale, Bruce Tilton and his wife, Veronica Tilton and Peter Tilton, all of Wilton, Donna Fellman and her husband, Robert, of Vienna and Heidi Knight and her companion, Gerard Williams, of Farmington; 11 grandchildren, Stephen Tilton, Amanda Robinson, Melissa Gerrish, Raymond Tilton, Jamie Badeau, Casey Tilton, Evan Fellman, Lee Fellman, Kaija Fellman, Christpher Knight and Ellen Knight; 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Barbara Morse and Hannah Stanley, both of Jay; and many nieces and nephew.

In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by six siblings, Suzie Trask, Welcome Tilton, Edith Hill, Mabel Lane, Roy Tilton and Bertha Starbird.

Condolences and tributes may be shared with his family on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.