Life story Arnold Eugene Tilley, 75, of Hanover, Indiana, formerly of Madison, died Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at the Veterans Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. He was born February 12, 1940 on Fairview Ridge, Carroll County, Kentucky, the second child of Abraham Tilley and Virgie Lee (McAlister) Tilley. He was raised in the Ohio River Valley area, attended various schools and graduated with the Madison High School class of 1958. He joined the Navy in 1958, served at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and on "Operation Deepfreeze" (1960-1963) where he was an aerial photographer engaged in the aerial mapping of the Antarctic Continent. His greatest achievement was the world's first aerial photographs of the Pensacola Mountains, opening the mountains to geological exploration. The Neptune Mountain Range was named after his aircraft model, the P2V Neptune. His medals were Navy Unit Citation, Antarctic Service and Good Conduct medals and he was qualified to wear the US Navy Air Crewmember Gold Wings. He was a Petty Officer Second Class and retired in 1963, being placed on the permanent disability list. He worked for Ward Poor's Studio, the Madison Courier and the Madison Mirror until accepting employment with the US Army Jefferson Proving Ground in 1967. He managed the JPG photographic operations for twenty years. He took early retirement due to the BRAC closure, with twenty-seven years of service, retiring as an Engineering Technician in the Technology Innovation Division of Material Testing Directorate. He was a life member of the Madison Chapter No. 55 of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), rising to the rank of 1st Junior Vice-Commander of the DAV Indiana State Department. In the local chapter, he held nearly every office of the Madison Chapter No 55 board of directors. He volunteered twelve years as the county DAV Transportation Network Coordinator for the Veterans Administration Volunteer Services (VAVS) program, providing free van rides for area veterans. He accumulated 17,299 hours of DAV VAVS volunteer hours before being forced to resign due to health. He was a member of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). He was a member of the Jefferson County Veterans Council, serving as the Adjutant for several years. He was a life member of the American Legion, Jefferson Post No. 9, and served as Service Officer for several years. He was a life member of the American Veterans (AMVETS) and the Madison Post No 39 Adjutant until closure of the post. He was a former member of the National Association of Independent Investors and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. He was charter member of the Jefferson Community Federal Credit Union (formerly known as JPG Employees FCU) and service on the Board of Directors for approximately twenty years. He was firm believer of the evolutionary theories of Charles Darwin and of the modern Big Bang theories. He is survived by his wife, Linda Carole (Overpeck, Simmons) Tilley, whom he married on May 11, 1973; two step-children: Roger Dale Simmons of Carroll County, Kentucky and Melissa Kay Waden of North Port, Florida; his caregiver, niece Ashley Jessica (Fix) Stewart and her husband, Jason of Hanover; one younger brother, Earl Dell Tilley (US Navy, Retired) of Pensacola, Florida; and one younger sister, Sharon Lee (TIlley, Konkle, Fix) Grubbs of Jefferson County, Indiana. He was the step-grandfather of eight grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, and a plethora of nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his GENTIVA Hospice Team, Mary, Annie and Breanna. Golf was his passion until failing health. He enjoyed watching old films and movies. He dabbled in photography until the digital images took over the world. He collected Marilyn Monroe memorabilia. He was preceded in death by both parents; one brother, Larry David Tilley ('97); one sister, Sandra Sue Tilley ('56); and two stepchildren: Daniel Allen Simmons ('91) and Jeanette Kim (Simmons) Willhoite ('11), both of Madison. The funeral and burial will take place at the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 11:30 AM Monday, May 11, 2015. Visitation will be from 10:30 to 11:30 AM in the IMVC Chapel. The Lytle Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Expressions of sympathy (no flowers, please) may take the form of donations to the Madison Chapter No 55 of the Disabled American Veterans, C/O VFW Post # 1969, 3100 Michigan Road, Madison, Indiana 47250, or to the organization of the donor's choice. Visitation DetailsMonday May 11, 2015 10:30am - 11:30am, Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery Service InformationMonday May 11, 2015 11:30am, Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Arnold E. Tilley, please visit our floral store.