Teddy Ervin Bosecker, 80, passed peacefully on the farm on September 24, 2021. He was born on the family farm near Bellmont, Illinois, on September 15, 1941, the only child of Ervin Thomas and Edna Johanna (Lipper) Bosecker. He was raised on the family farm south of Bellmont and attended grade school in Keensburg and Mt. Carmel High School. He married Nola Nadine Fewkes on August 19, 1962, and they made their home on the south edge of Bellmont. They were married nearly 50 years when Nola passed on July 11, 2012.
Teddy was a life-long grain and livestock farmer, beginning in the late 50s. He was active in 4-H and FFA, earning his State Farmer Degree and American Farmer Degree. He raised swine until 1976.
Ted was active in the agriculture community, serving on the Wabash County Young Farmers and Wabash County Farm Bureau boards, helping start the Ag Days celebration in Mt. Carmel. He was also on the Wabash Valley Service Company Board, and the Southeastern Grain Board. He served as a volunteer fireman with the Bellmont Fire Department, on the Bellmont Town Board, and on the Unit 348 School Board.
He served as an alderman at Friedens United Church of Christ near Browns and later at the First Presbyterian Church in Albion.
He supported his children’s 4-H and FFA activities, especially those with livestock including feeder pigs and Corriedale and Suffolk sheep.
Ted and Nola owned and operated the Bellmont Food Mart in the nineties. He also sold Ring Around Seeds and mini farm toys.
In addition to his passion for farming, he enjoyed watching his grandson’s farming activities, including showing sheep and cattle at local fairs.
Ted is survived by two sons, Tony of Bellmont and Tracey (Stephanie) of Mt. Carmel; one daughter, Natalie Beth of Champaign; two grandsons Brandon (fiancé Karisa) and Brady of Mt. Carmel and one granddaughter Dakota of Champaign; a brother-in-law, David (Lois) Fewkes of Albion; a sister-in-law, Ruth (Ray) Fewkes Root of Albion, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Ted was preceded in death by his wife, Nola; his parents, Ervin and Edna Bosecker; in-laws, Harvey and Ethel Fewkes; a brother-in-law, Harold Fewkes; three sisters-in-law, Lona Smith, Nina Mann, and Ada Ruth Cowling.
Memorials may be made to the Wabash County FFA Alumni for a scholarship for American FFA degree recipients.
Visitation will be Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm, at the First Presbyterian Church, Albion, IL. The funeral will immediately follow the visitation, beginning at 1:00 p.m.
Clergy: Rev. David Shain.
Interment: Graceland Cemetery, Albion, IL.
Ingram Meridith Funeral Home, Albion, IL.
