Dr. Percy L. Lilly

Percy Lane Lilly, 95, of Tiffin, passed away at 4:20 A.M. on Thursday, June 1, 2023 at Mercy Health-Tiffin Hospital.

Percy was born on July 14, 1927, in Spanishburg, WV, to Cyrus Truman Lilly and Ethel (Stovall) Lilly. On November 23, 1951, he married Mary L (Hogue) Lilly in Pennsboro, WV.

Percy was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 70 years, Mary Lee (Hogue) Lilly of Pennsboro, WV and Tiffin; and his brothers, James A Lilly of Brush Fork, WV; and Ira Byrd Lilly of Bluefield; WV. He is survived by his sons, Robert Lilly of Sacramento, CA and Mark (Cindy) Lilly of Marion, NC; his daughters, Catherine (Ray Mattatall) Lilly of Ann Arbor, MI and Laurel Lilly of Tiffin; grandchildren, Benjamin (Kristi) Lilly, Josh (Laiza) Lilly, Jacob (Martina) Lilly, Eril (Paul Lammers) Andes, Brennan (Ashley) Andes, Rebecca (Josh) Reese, Ryan (Ginny) Lilly, Jamie (Wendy) Twardzik, Tyla Bennett and Sherri (Matt) Elliott; great-grandchildren: Clara, Calvin and Owen Lilly; Zackary and Logan Reese, Elisjah (Mackenzie) Twardzik, Uriah, Jonas, Jobe, Ezra, Silas and Eden Twardzik, Xander, Julien and Lyla Bennett, Mason and Corban Elliott, Charlotte Perry, Hudson Morson, Anna Lammers and Sarie Andes; and great-great-grandson, Sullivan Twardzik. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Bailey Ann (Hogue) Mills of Charleston, WV, his brother, Cyrus Truman Lilly, Jr. of Spanishburg, WV, and his sister Betty (Lilly) Hoffman of Waynesboro, VA.

After graduating from Spanishburg High School, Percy served in the US Navy during WWII, receiving an honorable discharge in 1946. He was honored to be a veteran, proudly hoisting the US flag daily on his front porch.

Percy graduated from Concord College (now University) in 1950 with a BS in Biology. He received his Master’s in Botany from WVU in 1951 and a PhD in Botany from Penn State University in 1956. He served as an instructor at Salem College for two years. He taught at Heidelberg College (now University) from 1956-1998, serving as a professor of science for 32 years. During a sabbatical from 1968-1969, Percy travelled with his family to Cali Columbia to establish a modern biology department at the Universidad del Valle, funded by the Rockefeller Foundation. He received an NSF award in 1975 and took students on numerous field trips to West Virginia and Guatemala.

During his tenure at Heidelberg, Percy taught a wide diversity of courses focusing on biology, botany, microbiology and genetics and. He appreciated receiving letters and cards from students until his death. The designation of the Percy Lilly Campus Forest at Heidelberg University was approved by the Heidelberg Trustees in the Fall, 2022, and honors Percy’s single-handed oversight of the planting of more than 60 diverse species of trees during his tenure.

During his life Percy ranged far from his origins in rural West Virginia, travelling with students, colleagues, and/or family, to Costa Rica, China, Columbia, Brazil, Belize, Guatemala, Italy, Switzerland, and extensively in the US.

Percy was an active volunteer in the Tiffin area, contributing to the Tree Commission of Tiffin, The Earth Literacy Center, The Heritage Festival, the 1967 Tiffin-Seneca Sesquicentennial Celebration, and the Board of Kiwanis Manor. He was an active member and leader of Kiwanis for many years. Co-author from 1997-2004 of “Travelling the Back Roads with Mary and Percy Lilly”, a column in the Open-Market Weekly, Percy (and Mary) shared experiences, travels and interviews with area veterans.

The importance of family was a top priority to Percy. His ongoing dedication to Mary and their 70-year relationship was an inspiration to all. Percy was often playful and joyfully competitive with family and friends in cards and games, even being known as a jokester. He loved fishing, bird-watching and organic gardening, but was always willing to be interrupted to tell stories or watch the pro teams of Cleveland. His love of plants was contagious, and he was relied on many for plant identification and suggestions. He was welcoming to all, and many felt touched by his warmth and openness.

Percy was a lifetime member of Trinity UCC.

Cards can be sent to the family, care of Laurel Lilly 118 Mohawk Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Church of Christ, the Franciscan Earth Literacy Center (Tiffin) or Heidelberg University. Condolences may be sent and the guestbook signed at www.hgmackfuneralhome.com and at the Celebration of Life at Trinity UCC on June 7th, 2023.

A Celebration of Life for Mary and Percy Lilly will be Wednesday June 7, 2023 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM (Visitation with the Family from 5-7 PM) Trinity UCC.

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