Matilda (Tillie) Rose Behil Orlicek

Matilda (Tillie) Rose Behil Orlicek of Des Arc was born in Flint, Michigan on October 5, 1926.  She was born to Steve and Mary Behil.  Matilda was the oldest of five girls.  Her sisters were Mary Behil, Rose McArthur, Helen Nester, and Ann Chema.  Matilda attended school in Flint, Michigan where she graduated from Flint High School.  She then attended two years of business college.  She married the late Francis J. Orlicek, whom she met through an aunt on his side of the family.  They wrote letters to each other while Francis was serving in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.  Matilda worked as a telephone operator for Bell Telephone Company in Flint and Lansing, Michigan, Jonesboro, and Little Rock, Arkansas.

She and Francis had a family farm and worked together on the farm.  Matilda loved gardening, family, and people.  Tillie never met a stranger.  She loved her time as a teacher’s aide for second graders, to substitute teach, and to help the elderly. She was a member of the Extension Homemakers in Hazen and Des Arc, Royal Neighbors, 4-h leader, and a member of St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Slovak and later a member of St. Rose Catholic Church in Carlisle.

She is survived by daughters, Patricia (James) Holloway, Phyllis (Dale) Colclasure and Cynthis (Doug) Orlicek-Jones; sons, Michael (Susan) Orlicek, Stephen (Phyllis K) Orlicek, and Gregory (Irene McCray) Orlicek.  Matilda leaves 13 grandchildren, Aleisha Shurley, Mark Holloway, Tim Holloway, Eric Orlicek, DeAnna Miller, Nicole Creason, Jake Orlicek, Ben Jones, Andrea Jones, Chris Jones, Jillian Bowls, Alex Orlicek and Collett McCray and 10 great-grandchildren, Haven Holloway, Kade Holloway, Haley Miller, Logan Miller, Weston Miller, Ayden Shurley, Ashton Shurley, Archer Shurley, Everett Jones, and Chandler Jones.

Funeral services are 10:00 A.M. Thursday, June 4, 2015 at St. Rose Catholic Church in Carlisle.  Visitation will be Wednesday, June 3, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Westbrook Funeral Home Chapel in Hazen followed by Rosary at 7:00 P.M.

Pallbearers are Ben Jones, Chris Jones, Eric Orlicek, Mark Holloway, Tim Holloway, and James Shurley.  Honorary pallbearers were James Allen Walicki, Doug Jones, Jake Orlicek, Ken Orlicek, and Dale Colclasure.

Interment will be in the Czech National Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family requested memorials be made to the Czech National Cemetery or the Alzheimer’s Association.

 

9 thoughts on “Matilda (Tillie) Rose Behil Orlicek”

  1. Dick and Pam Howlett

    Our family is sorry for the loss of your mother. She was a gentle person and what a legacy of family she leaves behind.

  2. Diann Gathright

    Steve and Phyllis and family, I am so sorry for your loss. It is hard to loose a parent regardless of age. My thoughts and prayers are with you. D

  3. Gene and Greta Seward

    Our sincere sympathy and condolences at the loss of your mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

    May your memories comfort you in the days ahead.

    With love and friendship,

  4. Rev. Clefton Vaughan

    Please accept my deepest condolences! Grand Avenue United Methodist Church will keep you in our prayers. God is with us!

  5. Hey Mike to you and all your
    Brothers and sisters I am very sorry to hear
    About your mom. Tell Susan to keep laughing
    Like she always has.
    Sincerely
    Gary Odom

  6. Cindy,Pat,Greg and famlies. Sosorry about your mom. She was a very kind and sweet lady. We always enjoyed seeing her when she came by the nursery for fruit trees or vegetable plants . I will always remember her. Love and prayers to you all.

  7. Teresa Cole, LeadAR Class 3

    I am so sorry to learn of your mother’s passing. One is closer to a mother than any other one person. Your mother’s background and interment in the Czeck National Cemetery tells me how hardworking and kind she must have been, and how difficult it was during the time she grew into adulthood.

    I also wanted to share that my dad is 87 1/2 diagnosed with Alzheimer’s about 4 years ago, my 83 yr old mom with mild dementia, and I understand the probable difficulties that you have faced with this type disease.

    I have been working and caring for my parents 75 miles away in Ozark for the last 6 years. I still actually live in the same home since 1998 in Springdale.

    Life is difficult, but our God Almighty steers us children through troubled times and is always by our side.

    May you only remember the good times of your growing up and my deepest sympathy and prayers are extended to you and your family.

    Should you need to just talk sometime, I am here.

    My difficulties have accentuated that I am a servant and a trusted soldier for God’s will. I am also an attorney now – following my 24yr marriage that was destroyed by my ex-husband’s birthing of a child with the milkmaid while we were still married. I say this only to offer you free legal advice should you need it to probate her estate, etc. My cell is 479-209-6446.

    But trust me, when God closes a window, He opens a door. He cares for the sparrow and we know he watches over us.

    T

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