Virginia "Tiny" (Braun) Kilborn (96) of Springfield, formerly of Effingham

Virginia “Tiny” (Braun) Kilborn, born July 14, 1923, lived a full and vibrant life until her peaceful death on February 2, 2020 at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois.

She was born in Effingham to Mary (Bushur) and Ferdinand Braun. Her tight-knit siblings include Geneva “Gen” Schwermin (Walter), Ernie Braun (Doris Jean), Florence “Tot” Peters (William), Robert Braun (Joan), and Helen Zimmerman (Robert). Her sister, Helen, and sister-in-law, Joan, survive. Growing up in this family shaped Virginia into the generous, caring, curious, funny, loving person she remained throughout her life.

As a young woman she loved working at St. Anthony Hospital and Carlock’s Clothing store. In 1946 she married Owen R. Kilborn of Casey, Illinois. Their thirty-seven years together before Owen died in 1983 were filled with love, joy, struggles, hard work, music, children and grandchildren. Life took them from Effingham to Marquette Heights, Taylorville, Granite City, Pekin, Davenport, and St. Louis. Their children are Carol Pigati (Tom), Harland Kilborn (Eileen), Vera Duncanson (Tom), and Rose Kettering (Joe). The grandchildren she loved so dearly are Jeff, Eric, Mindy, Alice, Stephanie, Andrew, Amanda, Katie, Brittany, and Ben. Their families gave her fifteen great-grandchildren to love: Owen, Jakob, Elliot, Caroline, Joseph, Olivia, Avery, Wyatt, Will, Parker, Hazel, Lucas, Jacob, Taylor, and Addison. The grandkids were rich sources for her wonderful storytelling.

Virginia’s faith, passed on to her from her parents, was the stronghold of her life. Always. She was a long-time member of St. Anthony of Padua Church, serving on the Women’s Guild, as a member of the funeral choir, and a Eucharistic Minister to the sick.

For decades, Virginia volunteered at Second Hand Rose and Lakeland Rehabilitation and Health Care Center where, until she was ninety, she led the rosary. For years on Sunday evenings, she and her sister, Gen, could be found taking their hour of prayer at St. Anthony Hospital.

Virginia’s gifts: creating beauty around her, making home wherever life took her, taking care of others, tending pots of flowers, finding joy and laughter in nearly everything, and telling the best stories.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 7 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham with burial in St. Anthony Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10 – 11 a.m. prior to the funeral at the church. Memorials may be made to St. Anthony Hospital. Bauer Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.