Tom Kilton

Tom Dixon Kilton, 82, of Urbana, died at Amber Glen Memory Care on March 17, 2025, from complications of Parkinson's Disease.


Tom was born on January 24, 1943 to Joseph Miles Kilton and Ella Lucille Kilton (née Dixon), and by his own account enjoyed a charmed childhood. He graduated from Peoria Central High School in 1961, from Bradley University (BA, German) in 1965, from Tufts University (MA, German) in 1967, and from University of Illinois (MS, Librarianship) in 1973.


In 1973 he began a long career at the University of Illinois Library, working in the Serials Department (1973-1978), the Collection Development Division (1978-1982), and finally the Modern Languages and Linguistics Library (Assistant Modern Languages Librarian, 1982-1993; Head of the Modern Languages and Linguistics Library, 1993-2006). He retired in 2006 with the rank of Professor emeritus. After retirement, he worked as a member of the Library's German Emblem Project. In 2013 the Rare Book and Manuscript Library honored him with an appointment as Curator of Emblems. Tom was a great friend and resource to his colleagues in the Library.  His knowledge of the collections was legendary, and his contributions to bibliography and acquisitions for West European languages and literatures were prodigious.


On June 25, 2019 he married Geoffrey Thomas Ross.


Tom will likely be remembered for his sense of humor, his intelligence, his love of animals, and his many interests which included passenger trains, interurbans, streetcars, photography, flatware, the Episcopal Church, fountain pens, penmanship, the piano, languages, and books. Most of all, perhaps, he was endlessly fascinated with his fellow human beings, who brought him so much pleasure. 


Tom is survived by his spouse Geoffrey, his cousin Valturia Clark (née Dixon), and his cousin Marilyn Quiram (née Dixon). He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Ella.


A requiem mass will be celebrated for him at Emmanuel Memorial Episcopal Church in Champaign on Saturday, April 5th, at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Champaign County Humane Society.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Tom Kilton, please visit our floral store.