Raymond "Ray" Teders

AVILLA — Raymond L. "Ray" Teders, 77, of Avilla, Indiana, and Hartsville, South Carolina, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, at his home in Hartsville, South Carolina.

Born in Garrett, Indiana, Ray was a son of the late Louis Henry Teders and Bernadette (Meyer) Teders. He was raised on a farm in Avilla, with his parents, brother, and five sisters. He married Judy Weaver in 1966, at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, in Avilla. He was a graduate of Purdue University, with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, and began a 40-plus-year career in stainless steel production at Slater Stainless Steels, Fort Wayne.

Ray and Judy moved to the community of Hartsville in 1996, for his job at Carpenter Technology.  Prior to relocating to South Carolina, Ray was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Avilla.  He and Judy became active members at St. Mary the Virgin Mother parish and have been blessed with many friendships for the last 28 years.  While living in Hartsville, they would spend several months of the year at their home on Sylvan Lake, to visit family and friends. He leaves many lifelong friendships.

Ray loved fishing, golfing, working on his farm, helping his sons in their respective construction businesses and spending time with his family. He enjoyed traveling, working in his yard, driving his tractors, and watching Notre Dame football.

After retirement, Ray became an avid project manager, helping neighbors, his church and family members with repairs, renovations and far too many projects to recite here. If there was a family member or friend who needed help, he was quick to organize a plan to solve the problem. Ray was a giving and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.

He is survived by his wife, Judy K. (Weaver) Teders, of Hartsville, South Carolina; sons, Ryan L. (Jamie) Teders, of Avilla, Jason R. (Brandy) Teders, of Columbia City; daughter, Renee S. Dragan (Vince Williams), of Avilla; brother, William (Betty) Teders, of Avilla; sisters, Martha Mueller, of Kendallville, Sr., Elaine Teders, of New Lenox, Illinois, Retha Hollis, of Columbia City and Nancy Buckles, of Avilla; sister-in-law, Cheryl S. (Thomas Neuenschwander) Heller, of Fort Wayne; grandchildren, Natalie J. (Conner Bayne) Williams, of Fort Wayne, Gabriel R. Teders, of Avilla, Cooper D. Teders, of Columbia City, Justen J. (Nevaeh Wolf) Teders, of Kendallville, Dustin O. Teders, of Columbia City and Macie C. Teders, of Columbia City.  He was preceded in death by his sister, Linda De Lizer, of New Mexico.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m., on Thursday, Feb 22, 2024, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 228 N. Main St., Avilla, with visitation from 10:30 a.m., until the start of mass.

Visitation will also be held from 2-6 p.m., on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, at Harper Funeral Homes, Avilla Chapel, 530 N. Main St., Avilla, with a rosary to be held at 6 p.m.

Burial will be at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Avilla.  Contributions in Ray's memory may be directed to St. Mary's Catholic School, Avilla, or Humane Society of Noble County.

To sign the online guestbook or leave a condolence, visit www.harperfuneralhomes.com.

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