Kindhearted Lockport Teachers Leave Hospital $100,000 Gift

Photo Caption: Elmer and Matilda Wilhelm at Silver Cross Hospital’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Lunch in 2011

A Lockport couple who dedicated some of their final years to volunteerism at Silver Cross kept the hospital in their hearts, even after death.

Elmer and Matilda Wilhelm left the Silver Cross Foundation a $100,000 gift. Elmer died at the age of 86 in March 2014 followed by his wife Matilda (Tilly) nearly a year later in February 2015. She was 85 years old. The former school teachers requested that their gift be used towards continuing education scholarships for Silver Cross Hospital employees.

“Elmer and Tilly’s love of learning will leave a lasting legacy,” said Paul Pawlak, President and CEO of SilverCross Hospital. “Their generous gift will allow our nurses, technicians and other caregivers to further their training so we can continue to bring the latest advances in treatments and technologies to our patients for many years to come.”

Elmer Wilhelm was born on Jan. 13, 1928 in Chicago. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in education from Northern Illinois State Teachers College and a master’s degree in School Administration from Northern Illinois University. He began his teaching career with Joliet Public Grade School District 86 at Culbertson School and later taught science and mathematics at Gompers Junior High. He served as Superintendent of Lockport’s Fairmont School District 89 from 1962 to 1971 and Taft School District from 1971 to 1978. Always willing to help others, Elmer shared his time and talents in the community as a charter member of the Illinois Sherriff’s Association and Special Deputy of the Will County Police, president of the New Lenox Library Board and Will County Board of Health, master of Lockport Lodge #538 and Minooka Lodge #528, scout master with Boy Scout Troop 232 Ingalls Park Methodist Church, and as a member of the German-American Club in Frankfort. A veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, Elmer was a member of the Tom E. Hartung American Legion Post 1977 and was part of an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. in 2011.

Devoted to his wife Matilda for 60 years, Elmer would often accompany her during the 15 years she volunteered in Silver Cross Hospital’s surgical waiting room and discharge lounge.

Tilly was born on Oct. 12, 1928 in Chicago. She met Elmer while pursuing her Bachelor of Science degree in education at Northern Illinois University. Tilly also received a Master’s in Education degree from Roosevelt University. She was a teacher and principal in Elgin for 35 years and spent the rest of her career at Forest Park and Culbertson Schools in Joliet. She loved her students and they loved her. Like her husband, Tilly was also very involved in the community. In addition to volunteering at Silver Cross, she served as an election judge for many years, and was a member of the Audubon Society and Delta Kappa Gamma – retired teachers’ organization. The couple also spent much of their time at the Croation Cultural Club, Scottish Valley Rite of Chicago - order of the Eastern Star of Illinois, the New Lenox Public Library, and Bethlehem Lutheran Church. The Wilhelms were inseparable traveling the world together. They visited all 50 states and 63 different countries.

“Tilly and Elmer valued having quality healthcare available in our region and wanted to leave a lasting legacy when we discussed their estate plans,” said Larry Johnson Vice President of the Silver CrossFoundation. “This gift achieved their goal and we will be forever grateful.”

For more information about estate planning or to make a donation to the Silver Cross Foundation, call (815) 300-7105.