Anthony "Tony" Joseph Nilges, 95, passed away peacefully at Bright Oaks of Aurora on December 23, 2021. He was a lifelong resident of Aurora, born the eldest of three to Theodore and Elizabeth (Poss) Nilges on December 9, 1926.
Tony retired after 35 years as a machinist with the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1982, and he was a member of the Burlington Northern Twin Ponds Club. He also worked part time as a maintenance man at St. Therese Church in Aurora and the former Mount St. Mary, in St. Charles.
Tony proudly served his country in the Army during WW II in the Philippines, and always kept a flag flying in his yard.
On September 6, 1947, he married the love of his life Imelda Pickert of Richmond, KS, moving her to Aurora where they spent 56 years together in the house he built for her until her death in 2004.
He was a creative and imaginative person who had a talent working with motors. He was known for building and repairing tractors, lawnmowers, trailers, and even built a circus wagon, merry-go-round, electric motorcycle and his famous electric lawn chair.
For several years he played in a band with his brother, having been self-taught on guitar, keyboard, and fiddle.
He also had a great love of gardening and took great pride in his yard which showcased hundreds of flowers each year, but he was proudest of his family.
Tony is survived by his six children, Sharon (Gibson) Nevels, Rosemary (Richard) Hauser, David Nilges, Cathy (Roger Lee) Kott, Bonnie (Archie) Vargas, Marsha (late Douglas) Bock; 18 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; two brothers-in-law, Adrian (Jayne) Pickert, Larry (Patty) Pickert; three sisters-in-law, Henrietta Mersman, Delores (Donald) Oswald, Rilla Ann (Mark) Mersmann; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Imelda; his great granddaughter, Amber McNamara; his brother the Rev. Harold Nilges; his sister Sr. Marianne Nilges, SSF; his son-in-law Douglas Bock; brothers-in-law Charles Miller, Vernon Pickert, Raymond Mersman; sisters-in-law Charlotte Pickert and Evelyn Pickert.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 30, 2021 at 9:30 am from THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY to St. Therese Church at 10:00 AM followed by interment at Marywood Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, December 30, 2021 from 9:00 am until the funeral hour at THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, 220 N. Lake St., Aurora, 630-631-5500. Due to Covid-19 pandemic protocols, face masks are required for those in attendance at the funeral home and at church.
Memorials may be sent in his memory to St. Therese Church in Aurora, or the Richmond Museum in Richmond, KS.
Please visit our website at www.daleidenmortuary.com where you may leave condolences for Anthony's family.