Aminta "Chick" Kittell

Tilton – Aminta “Chick” Kittell, 98, of Tilton, passed away at 6:41 PM on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at OSF Sacred Heart in Danville. She was born July 24, 1926 in Gulf, TX to Santana and Maria Ignacia dela (Garza) Cortez. She married Lawrence H. Kittell on November 25, 1948 in Laredo, TX. He preceded her in death on September 7, 2024.

She is survived by four children, Leonard Craig (Pam) Kittell, Janice (Bud) Reiselt, Nancy (Tim Timmerman) Brazas-Timmerman, and Carla Marie Kittell; grandchildren, Joseph Michael (Jana) Brazas, Brandy Goulding, Lauren (Travis) Calloway, Kristopher Kittell, Adam (Kat) Kittell, and Stephanie (Jay) Clark; great grandchildren, Kyle Brazas, Isaiah Goulding, Amyah Goulding, Maverick Calloway, Aspen Calloway, Warren Clark, and Frankie Grace Clark; great-great grandchildren, Evelyn RoseAnn Goulding, Karter Layne Brazas, and Henry Lewis Goulding; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, and 13 siblings, Isabela “Betty” Crafton, Ignacio “Ernie” Cortez, Aninta Haber, Baldomero “Wally” Cortez, Sarah Cortez, Helen Villegas, Aurora “Toby” Tatro, Santana “Sam” Cortez, Agnes Aguilar, Ruben “Bobby” Cortez, Jose Victor “JV” Cortez, David Ricardo “Dick” Cortez, and Herman Rodolfo Cortez.

Chick had occasionally worked as a translator and as a teacher’s aide and substitute teacher. However, she took pride in being a professional homemaker and making sure her family was cared for. She was an excellent cook and made everything from scratch. She was known for her authentic homemade Mexican food, especially the fresh tamales. Chick also enjoyed staying active and would often go dancing with her husband. She continued bowling into her eighties and was still clogging into her early 90’s. In most recent times, Chick was able to enjoy her time at Autumn Fields and the friendships she made with the staff and residents. Most of all, Chick loved her family and always cherished the time she could spend with her kids and grandkids.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Aminta “Chick” Kittell will be held at 12 PM on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 3940 N. Vermilion St., Danville, IL 61834. Pastor Gary Milton will officiate. Inurnment at Sunset Memorial Park will take place at a later date. Visitation will be held from 10 AM-12PM prior to the service on Saturday, also at Sunset in Danville. Memorials in her name may be made to an Education Fund for Certification and Training of the staff at Autumn Fields c/o Longview Bank in Tilton.

Please join Chick’s family in sharing memories, photos, and videos of her life through her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.