Obituary for Theodore H. Beller
Theodore (Ted) Howard Beller, age 83, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017 at home in Wickliffe, surrounded by his family.
Ted was born in Cleveland, and grew up in Willowick, where he graduated from Willoughby Union High School in 1951. He went on to attend General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan and earned the distinction of having the longest undergraduate enrollment by also serving in the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1956 before finally graduating from GMI with an Engineering degree in 1960. Ted was inducted into the Alpha Tau Iota honorary fraternity at GMI before embarking on a career of more than 30 years with General Motors working at the Euclid, Cleveland and Pittsburgh GM plants, retiring in 1987. Ted also attended the University of Virginia where he completed an executive business management program.
A boyhood caddy, Ted grew to love the game of golf and became a scratch golfer by swinging a club nearly every night. An engineer at heart, Ted enjoyed tackling almost any type of project and was often called upon by friends and family for his expertise and ability to fix, build or design anything. His love of cars often had him in the garage with grease on his hands and a smile on his face. His 1957 Corvette was his pride and joy. An avid boater, Ted was a member of the Chagrin River Yacht Club in Eastlake, Ohio for 26 years. His 1939, 33 foot Chris Craft boat "The Bard" was a landmark on the Chagrin River and was another of Ted''s projects that he enjoyed remodeling and maintaining. Fishing became a natural hobby on the water and he enjoyed catching perch almost as much as he enjoyed eating them. A voracious reader and crossword puzzle enthusiast, Ted''s knowledge spanned almost any subject.
Married for 56 years, Ted was the beloved husband of Sandra (Sandy) Oliphant Beller; proud father to Brenda Farone (husband Robert), Christopher Beller, Scott Beller, Donald Beller (wife Rose) and Todd Beller (partner Shonah Greer). He delighted in becoming a wonderful grandfather
to Stephanie Stumbo, Elisabeth Farone, Emily Farone, Angela Farone, Mitchell Beller, Rachel Beller and Kyle Beller and great-grandfather to Christian Stumbo and Reagan Stumbo. He taught his children to have a strong work ethic and a good set of values and that any job worth doing was worth doing right. He spoiled his grandchildren in any way possible.
Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Morris and Eleanor Beller; his sisters, Patricia Brennan and Faith Ellis and his son, Christopher Beller. He is survived by siblings, Robert Beller, Lorinda Beller, Arthur Beller, and Sue Folliard.
Family will receive friends in celebration of the well lived life of Ted Beller at Pine Ridge Country Club, 30601 Ridge Road, Wickliffe, on Saturday February 25, 2017 from 12 until 4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44110.
Ted was born in Cleveland, and grew up in Willowick, where he graduated from Willoughby Union High School in 1951. He went on to attend General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan and earned the distinction of having the longest undergraduate enrollment by also serving in the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1956 before finally graduating from GMI with an Engineering degree in 1960. Ted was inducted into the Alpha Tau Iota honorary fraternity at GMI before embarking on a career of more than 30 years with General Motors working at the Euclid, Cleveland and Pittsburgh GM plants, retiring in 1987. Ted also attended the University of Virginia where he completed an executive business management program.
A boyhood caddy, Ted grew to love the game of golf and became a scratch golfer by swinging a club nearly every night. An engineer at heart, Ted enjoyed tackling almost any type of project and was often called upon by friends and family for his expertise and ability to fix, build or design anything. His love of cars often had him in the garage with grease on his hands and a smile on his face. His 1957 Corvette was his pride and joy. An avid boater, Ted was a member of the Chagrin River Yacht Club in Eastlake, Ohio for 26 years. His 1939, 33 foot Chris Craft boat "The Bard" was a landmark on the Chagrin River and was another of Ted''s projects that he enjoyed remodeling and maintaining. Fishing became a natural hobby on the water and he enjoyed catching perch almost as much as he enjoyed eating them. A voracious reader and crossword puzzle enthusiast, Ted''s knowledge spanned almost any subject.
Married for 56 years, Ted was the beloved husband of Sandra (Sandy) Oliphant Beller; proud father to Brenda Farone (husband Robert), Christopher Beller, Scott Beller, Donald Beller (wife Rose) and Todd Beller (partner Shonah Greer). He delighted in becoming a wonderful grandfather
to Stephanie Stumbo, Elisabeth Farone, Emily Farone, Angela Farone, Mitchell Beller, Rachel Beller and Kyle Beller and great-grandfather to Christian Stumbo and Reagan Stumbo. He taught his children to have a strong work ethic and a good set of values and that any job worth doing was worth doing right. He spoiled his grandchildren in any way possible.
Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Morris and Eleanor Beller; his sisters, Patricia Brennan and Faith Ellis and his son, Christopher Beller. He is survived by siblings, Robert Beller, Lorinda Beller, Arthur Beller, and Sue Folliard.
Family will receive friends in celebration of the well lived life of Ted Beller at Pine Ridge Country Club, 30601 Ridge Road, Wickliffe, on Saturday February 25, 2017 from 12 until 4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44110.