ELKHART -- Theodore L. "Ted" Demerly, 79, of Elkhart, died at home Friday (April 16, 2010) at 7:30 a.m. after an extended illness.

He was born in Benzonia, Mich., Aug. 9, 1930, to Garold and Emily (Plont) Demerly.

He married Mary Lou Reichard on June 28, 1975. She survives along with three daughters, Rhonda (John) Vierwinden of Nuevo, Calif., Wanda (Jim) Scott of Elkhart and Dawn (Jim) Gray of Hobart; three sons, Randy Blanton and Jim Demerly of Elkhart and Steve Demerly of Goshen; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Nick (Eleanor) Demerly of Elkhart and Hal (Ruth) Demerly of Detroit; and four sisters, Ruth (Dick) Ludwig of Elkhart, Lynda Alkire of Manistee, Mich., Marjorie (Myron) Thayer of Bear Lake, Mich., and Beth Gee of Detroit.

A son, Richard Blanton, a daughter, Dorla Demerly, three brothers, George, Nels and Dewey Demerly, and two sisters, Rose Dorian and Nancy Schneider are all deceased.

Mr. Demerly was a graduate of Benzonia High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 until 1953.

He was employed with Richardson Homes for several years and later worked transporting RVs for nearly 17 years.

He enjoyed watching WWF wrestling, NASCAR, camping, spending time with his family, telling jokes and playing with his grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., and for an hour prior to the 11 a.m. funeral Tuesday at the funeral home. Pastor Dale Turner will officiate.

Burial will follow in Prairie Street Cemetery, with graveside military honors provided by the U.S. Army Funeral Honor Guard and DAV Chapter 19.

Memorial gifts may be given to the Elkhart Hospice House, 22579 Old U.S. 20 E., Elkhart, 46516.

Online condolences may be offered at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.