Ryan Tillotson, age 39, a resident of Dekalb, formerly of Wheaton, IL, died suddenly on Sunday, March 2, 2014. He was born April 27, 1974 in St. Charles, IL to Daniel and Patricia Tillotson.

Ryan grew up in Wheaton and graduated from Wheaton North High School in 1992. He attended the University of Massachusetts in Boston studying English Literature. He worked as an auto mechanic for several Fox Valley area dealerships. In recent years he has been working towards a certificate in Information Technologies. His focus was on Cisco Networks.

He enjoyed experimenting with alternative operating systems, especially Linux. He has been a longtime participant of local recovery support groups in Dekalb. Ryan found great joy in helping others with his gifts in auto mechanics and computers.

He is survived by his parents, Dan and Pat Tillotson of Wheaton; siblings, Sarah (Patrick) Tarrant of New Zealand, Kristen (Ben) Mjolsness of Chicago, Collin Tillotson, and Alyssa (William) Haggerty of St. Charles; six nieces and nephews, Trinity, Catie and Sean Haggerty, Charlie Tillotson, and Jacob and Myles Tarrant. He is also survived by grandparents, Alden and Joan Nickerson of Freeport, IL; and many aunts and uncles.

At Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N Main St, in Wheaton, a visitation will be held on Friday, March 7th from 4-8 p.m. and a funeral will take place on Saturday, March 8th at 10 a.m.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Ben Gordon Center, 12 Health Services Drive DeKalb, Illinois 60115, (815) 756-4875, or www.bengordoncenter.org.