Theodore “Ted” Oldfather was born March 7, 1943 to Carl and Cleo (Butterbaugh) Oldfather in Warsaw, Indiana. Ted’s father died when he was six months old and Cleo married George Domer until his death a short time later. She then married Keith Wagoner on March 5, 1950.
Ted accepted Christ as his savior when he was 21 years old, and was baptized, becoming part of the Old German Baptist Brethren Church, and the New Conference in 2009. On February 26, 1966, Ted married Marletta Miller of Modesto, California, in a double wedding with Marletta’s sister, Lorraine and Mark Grover. This week would have been their 54th wedding anniversary. The Lord blessed Ted and Marletta with 3 sons and 1 daughter. They raised their family at the North Manchester, Indiana area, at the family farm.
Ted was in a tragic accident on February 23, 2020 and remained unresponsive until he was pronounced legally deceased on February 25, 2020.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Cleo, George Domer, and Keith Wagoner; a granddaughter, Autumn Sage Oldfather.
Left to mourn his passing are his wife, Marletta; his children, Todd (Sabe), John (Heidi), Julie Roughia, and Mark (Kim); 11 grandchildren, Hayly and Cheyenne Oldfather, Hannah (Preston Penrod) Dalrymple, Parkur Dalrymple, Gabrielle and Sophia Oldfather, Ian and Owen Roughia, Sierra, Brooke, and Jorden Oldfather; Marletta’s siblings, Lorraine (Mark) Grover, Byron (Bonnie) Miller, Lowell (Rochelle) Miller, and Gary (Patty) Miller; a step-sister, Carol Domer; a special family friend, Peggy Lewis, a loving church family, and many many friends.
Ted was a self-employed farmer, owner, and operator of Oldfather Grain, North Manchester since 1978. Since Ted chose to be an organ donor, his family was asked by the Indiana Donor Network to share memories of his life. Through both tears and laughter, the following was written by the family and read in the operating room before removing his organs for donation:
He loved God and family. People were drawn to him by his integrity, character, and great smile. He was patient. He loved family and flying and fun; he had an adventurous spirit, he loved playing with his grandkids. He was caring and he often helped people. He loved animals, especially Border Collies and cattle. He loved the outdoors. He was encouraging. If you saw his chin quivering, you knew you were in trouble. After many years of practiced lessons from his daughter’s-in-law, he became a hugger. He and his wife, Marletta, would sing together – he loved music. They had the opportunity to travel to many beautiful and interesting places. He was a very hard worker. He ate bread with milk on it and always dunked a cookie in his coffee at breakfast. Owen’s favorite memory was fishing with his grandpa. The family is comforted knowing others received the gift of life during this difficult time of his passing.
Family and friends may call Friday, February 28, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the West Manchester German Baptist Church, 1013 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, Indiana 46962. Visitation on Saturday, February 29, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the West Manchester church. Funeral services for Ted will be held Sunday, March 1, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at the North Manchester Old German Baptist Brethren Church, 12508 North State Road 13, North Manchester, Indiana 46962. Burial immediate following at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, 1013 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, Indiana.
Arrangements are entrusted to McKee Mortuary
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