Edgar August Teske was called to his heavenly home on Friday, Aug. 16 at Gibson Area Hospital with his family by his side. He was 96. Edgar was born on the family centennial farm in Ash Grove Township on Sept. 27, 1927. He was the second son of August and Dora (Koester) Teske.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Adeline Teske, brothers Bill (Roselyn)Teske, Ralph Teske, and Orville (Joan) Teske.

 

He is survived by sister-in-law Carolyn Teske of Cissna Park and eight nieces and nephews: Jerry (Cindy) Teske, Patti Golden, Wendy (Ross) Norris all of Florida; Ralph Teske and Jennifer (Ken) Wilson of Illinois; Nicholas (Amy) Teske and Karen (Eric) Blue of Georgia; Michael (Sevda) Teske presently in Nigeria. Uncle Ed will be greatly missed by all.

 

Edgar was baptized, confirmed, and was a lifetime member of St. John's Lutheran Church Ash Grove. He attended school at St. John's until 8th grade and graduated from Cissna Park High School in 1946. His father, a school board member, wished for him to graduate before enlisting in the army to serve his country as an airplane mechanic. Upon his return from service, he devoted the next 60 plus years of his life to maintaining the family farm by raising cows, sheep and chickens and farming corn and soybeans.

 

From the time they could throw a ball, Ed and his brothers (and sister too) followed their Dad's footsteps playing softball. The Teske siblings played so much softball together they never had to worry about mowing the grass. Starting as a teenager with the young Ash Grove team called the Bumpers, Ed developed his unique throwing style and became a starting pitcher who could also hit a home run. He remained a member of Ash Grove fastpitch team for many years. Edgar also enjoyed bowling leagues during the winter.

 

Staying busy was a hobby of Edgar's that included passions for woodworking and photography. He enjoyed selling his wood projects at local craft fairs in Illinois and Florida. He constructed his own log home in the 1970s and lived independently all his life. Edgar loved his big garden and orchard where he used his own ingredients to develop his own recipe for tomato juice. One summer he canned over 100 quarts of what he named the V12.

 

Florida became Edgar's second home every winter where he enjoyed the warm weather and tended his grapefruit and orange trees. He developed many friends over the years and was welcomed back each year by his church home in Starke. He loved fishing with brother Bill and enjoyed many rounds of golf with friends and other snowbirds. He even scored a prized hole-in-one in 2001.

 

In his quiet unassuming way, he was a talented friend, dearly loved by his family and thankful for all who were part of his life.

 

Well done, good and faithful servant.

 

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 30, 2024 at St. John’s Lutheran at Ash Grove. Funeral services will follow also at the church with burial in the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery at Ash Grove. Graveside Military Rites by the American Legion Post 527.

 

Memorials may be made to the family’s wishes.

 

Arrangements are by the Knapp Funeral Home in Cissna Park.