Theodore “Ted” Teunissen, 93, entered into rest on December 20, 2014 in Chariton, Iowa after a sudden illness. 
   Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Anton and Anna Teunissen; his son, Gary Teunissen; his special friend, Alice Mullaney; and siblings, John, Garrett, Hank, Bert, Marty, Mary, Leo, Annie, Mina and Joe.
   Ted is survived by his children; daughter, Lynn Vierra; son, Greg Teunissen; daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Nile Smith; daughter, and son-in-law, Judy and Rod Foster; sons, Bill Mendosa and Steve Mendosa and their families. 
   He is also survived by a sister, and brother-in-law Julie and Sandy Hedegard; nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Although Ted spent the past several years living in Chariton, Iowa, he was a long-time resident of the Manteca area.  He began working for the Spreckels Sugar Company in 1941 as a House Mechanic.  He would later be elevated to Locomotive Engineer/Crane Operator, a position he was most proud of until his retirement in 1983.  Upon his retirement at age 62, Ted lived out his dream of living on the San Joaquin River. He enjoyed fishing and house boating and hosted many family get-togethers.  Ted was an easy-going and light-hearted man who had a wonderful sense of humor.  He will be dearly missed by many.
    A celebration of life memorial service is scheduled for 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at PL Fry and Son Funeral Home, 290 North Union Road, Manteca. A private burial will be held at St. John’s Cemetery in Escalon. An online guest book is available for condolences to the family at www.plfryandson.com (search obituaries).

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Tuesday, January 20, 2015