On March 9, 1958 Teresa Lynn Rardin blessed her parents with her presence. She was born with a natural curiosity for people, places and adventure in the small village of Henning, Illinois to her loving parents, Mary Jo and Jerry Rardin, the pastor of a small Free Methodist church.

When she was almost 5, the family moved to Elkhart, Indiana which she called home for the majority of her life.

Teresa loved to sing and sang in the choir during high school and continued singing at her church, Meadowood Free Methodist.  She had a flair for drama and participated in all of her high school drama and musical productions. She enjoyed a good story but was an even better story-teller. She was also an avid reader.

She had many jobs throughout her life, but the common denominator was helping people in customer service roles. Whether at the toll plaza, the post office, or at Ameritech/AT&T, she made friends wherever she went.  After she retired, she loved being on the other end of the line making friends with the reps, unless she didn't get a satisfactory response, she knew the system and would go up the chain until she got what she needed

There were many causes dear to her heart and she generously gave to those in need, from donating her car to a family who needed it to clothes and items to various organizations that helped women and children.

Teresa loved her family, pizza, and animals, especially dogs, elephants and dolphins. Her love of stories included her favorite TV shows, including Star Trek, M.A.S.H., General Hospital, almost every cooking show and crime dramas.

More than anything, she loved being an aunt and adored her many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews - and they loved to visit her for a quick hug.

Teresa passed away peacefully at the Center for Hospice Care Esther House surrounded by family early Sunday morning September 14, 2025. She was preceded in death by her mom, Mary Jo Rardin (2020) and her father Jerry Rardin, who passed 5 days before her.

Teresa leaves behind her sister Anita, brother Jeff, bonus mom Marybeth Rardin and sisters in love Wanda Rardin and Sherry Huff and her Aunt, Carol Welton and 11 cousins.

She also leaves behind the following nieces and nephews;

April Booze-Lewis and husband Ryan

Dorian Hazelwood and husband David

Aubrey Cook and husband Brian

Meghan Hauser and husband Dan

Melony Andrews and husband Mike

Jeremy Becraft and wife Johnna

Kristen Becraft

Great nieces and nephews ;

Willow Hazelwood

Lilee Andrews

Laney, Everett, Maddie and Katie  Becraft

Dylan, Jadyn and Calli Cook

Reagan,  Jackson, Claire, Lucy,  Jorie and Colton Hauser.

Memorials may be given to The Center for Hospice Care,  or any local animal rescue.

A celebration of life will take place on  Sunday, November 2, 2025 from noon to 3 p.m. at High Dive Park Pavilion in Elkhart, IN. Billings Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.

Center for Hospice Care c/o Esther House
501 Comfort Pl., Mishawaka IN 46545

Elkhart County Humane Society
54687 County Road 19, Bristol IN 46507
Tel: 1-574-848-4225
Web: http://www.info@elkharthumanesociety.org