David F. Teeple

David F. Teeple of Decatur passed away on Thursday, December 29, 2022. Born to Anthony and Mary Catherine (Keller) Teeple on January 11, 1947, Dave led a full and adventurous life. He graduated from Decatur Catholic High School in 1965 before attending Indiana University. He raced cars, enjoying much success at Baer Field Speedway in his younger years and occasionally humbling some misguided soul on 469 in his later years. He loved the outdoors, riding snowmobiles or ATVs, or taking care of his lawn. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam Era and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed much success in his professional life, first working on the family farm, then at Teeple Truck Lines, before eventually finding his calling as the top salesman in Indiana for Anthem Insurance.

Dave was certainly proud of his professional successes, but he believed his greatest success was his family. He married Sandra Wood on January 24, 1970, and together they raised three children. He often said that Sandee and his kids were the best things that could’ve ever happened to him. He was proud of Sandee’s devotion to her work with their church, and he also was very proud of his kids’ accomplishments and the families they created. He was eager to learn about their work and loved to talk about what they were doing in their careers. He also cherished his role as “Papi” to five grandchildren, who loved him dearly and continued to love spending time with him even as they became adults.

Dave did not believe in doing things half-way. If he was going to have a lawn, it was going to be a spectacular lawn. If he was going drive a vehicle, it was going to look good and go fast. If he was going to take a vacation, he and Sandee would spend the summer driving to Alaska. If there was a party, he was going to enjoy it to its fullest. Each of the people who have been fortunate enough to know Dave Teeple has a story to share, and nearly all of them are full of laughs and good times.

He is survived by his devoted wife of almost 53 years, Sandee; daughters Melissa (Rod) Ebbinghouse and Amanda (Matt) Mertes; son Anthony (Jenny) Teeple; and grandchildren Chase and Kendyl Ebbinghouse, Grace Horton, Jeffrey Mertes, and Kolton Noonan. Other survivors include his brother, Fred (Kathie) Teeple, sister Chris (Mark) Ruble, sister, Kathleen (Joe) Gase, along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Tony and Mary Catherine.

Visitation will be from 2:00 – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at Haggard-Hirschy & Zelt Funeral Home, with a reciting of the Holy Rosary at 1:30 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, in St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, with visitation 1 hour prior from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. in the St. Mary’s Parish Hall.  Father David Ruppert will be presiding. Burial will follow immediately after in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, with Military Graveside Rites conducted by the American Legion Post 43 Color Guard.

Memorials may be made to the Fresenius Medical Care or St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of David F. Teeple, please visit our floral store.