Leo Teel

Leo C. Teel, 88, longtime resident of Oak Harbor, died Sept. 13, 2003 at Home Place Special Care Center.

Mr. Teel was born Oct. 17, 1914 in Fort Benton, Mont., to Homer Barnes Teel and Clare (Patterson) Teel. He was raised in the East Brady area outside of Fort Benton. Leo married Iva E. Arnold in 1936, and they resided in the Fort Benton area. He was employed there in farming and as a mechanic.

During the Depression, Leo had come to Oak Harbor for two winters. They then moved to Seattle for a year, where Leo worked for Boeing, building B-17s and B-29s. The couple moved with their family in 1941 to reside permanently in Oak Harbor. At this time, Leo was employed by the Austin Company to build the Seaplane Base.

Leo was a member of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Elks Lodge No. 2362 and the Eagles Lodge in Sedro-Woolley. He was also an honorary member of the VFW Post No. 7392, in which he had placed the hardwood flooring. Leo loved to dance, and enjoyed working with wood. He had a very strong work ethic which was his trademark throughout his life.

Leo is survived by his daughter Jeannie A. Teel and son Mike T. Teel and wife Bev, all of Oak Harbor; seven grandchildren, Eileen DuPras and son John of Sumner, Colleen Gartner of Susanville, Calif., Michael Gartner of Seattle, Erin Parsley of Anchorage, Alaska, Brian Teel of Portland, Ore., Jennifer Teel of Oak Harbor, and Mark Teel and wife Denise of Bend, Ore.; nine great-grandchildren, Megan and Sara Smith of Wellsboro, Pa., Carl, Leo and Caitlin Parsley, John Du Pras, Jr., Autumn Jean Du Pras, and Joshua and Rachel Felix; one great-great-grandchild, Vesper Grace Du Pras; two nieces, Judy Freese and husband Tim of Marysville and Laurie Gargett and husband Ray of Latham, N.Y.; and one nephew, Pat Teel and wife Lorraine of Minneapolis.

Leo was preceded in death by his wife, Iva E. Teel on March 21, 1976, and by four brothers, Joseph (1939), Charles “Pat” (1964), Bill (1974) and Raymond (1995).

A vigil prayer service will be Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church. Visitation will take place during this time. A Funeral Mass will be Thursday, Sept. 18, at 10 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Rev. Ronald H. Belisle, Celebrant. Burial will follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimers Association, 12721 – 30th Ave. NE, Suite No. 101, Seattle, WA 98125. Arrangements under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.