Theodore “Ted” Wilbert was welcomed into the world by proud parents Alvin and Loretta (Mawhinney) Rier on Wednesday, March 25, 1942. Ted was right in the middle of his siblings, when he joined older siblings Dolores, Jack, and Betty, and followed by Sharon, Larry, and Randy. The Rier family lived on a mixed farm on the 12th of Bentinck. Farming was always in Ted’s blood. He was always involved on the farm and had a few accidents. When he was only five years old, he cut his finger off in a hay mower. In another instance, Ted ran over his brother with a tractor (he recovered). When he was about 10, he “borrowed” the family car and drove into Elmwood to visit his grandparents. He might have got away with it other than he knocked over a fence post at their place. At a young age, he was also a very avid baseball player. Ted was one to watch when he was pitching, half of the time you couldn’t see it coming!

Ted attended SS#7 just down the road from the farm and then went on to attend Chesley High School. While in high school at age 15, he met a young girl by the name of Bonnie Yvonne Martin. They hit it off and dated for a few years, and they wed on February 23, 1963, in the Desboro United Church. In the same year, Ted and Bonnie’s life changed when they welcomed their son Ben, followed by Wendy in 1965, and Rick in 1968. Ted made a large swing for the kids in the backyard, however, sometimes they got a little scared because when he would push them, they ended up a little higher than they wanted!

Before Ted and Bonnie were married, Ted was farming with his dad. Once they were married, they bought a cow/calf farm on County Road 10, outside of Elmwood, where they still lived. Ted began working for Elmwood Manufacturing, making only $1/hour! At the time, their grocery bill was $10/week, but they still managed to make it work! In 1965, he began driving transport trucks for Maislin, then with Douglas Point, Smitty’s Furniture and then with Steinman for many years. Ted retired in 2014. Ted dedicated his life to working hard driving trucks and farming to provide for his family. He enjoyed the small moments he shared with them and memories on the farm together.

Ted and Bonnie enjoyed their quality time together, and enjoyed a few trips! In 1990, they drove in their van out East. Ted being ever frugal thought they should set up a mattress in the back of the van and spend a few nights there. When they were in P.E.I., Bonnie wanted to see the house of Anne of Green Gabels. Ted had no interest, so he left Bonnie to see the house herself. When she came out, Ted was nowhere to be found. She finally found him in the back of the van, asleep, and no longer able to drive. Bonnie ended up driving the van, and it is safe to say Bonnie was a little mad at Ted when he woke up! Another time that Ted and Bonnie went on a road trip wasn’t even an intentional one! In 1997, they purchased a new truck. Ted mentioned to Bonnie to pack a few things to go for a drive, and the next thing they knew, they were a little further away than they originally planned! When the kids called Ted to see why they weren’t home from their drive a week later, he explained that their “small drive” took them to Thunder Bay to see family!

Ted enjoyed owning horses over the years and watching the horse races, in person and on TV. He also liked attending stock car races and local dances. Ted and Bonnie spent many Saturday nights with other couples playing euchre, and he always liked challenging someone to a game. Ted liked watching the Toronto Blue Jays, and CP24, always on mute! He loved country music, with the Willie Nelson Roadhouse Radio station and C.K.N.X being favourites. Ted liked reading the flyers, especially Food Basics and Walmart to see where they could get the best deals for the week. He didn’t have it often, but when he got the chance, he loved a well-done steak. Ted liked a good glass of whiskey, cigarettes and cigars in his early years, and in later years, a cup of coffee.

Ted was fair, honest and hardworking. He was a man of few words, and he typically listened more than he talked. However, when he did talk, you listened. Ted loved his family more than anything in the world. He cherished every moment he had with Bonnie, passed many skills on to his children, and had an unwavering love for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were born, the love he had for family grew so much more. Ted loved sitting back and watching the kids play. He played hide and seek, and picked wild berries in the yard with the grandkids. In recent months, Ted’s health declined. Ted passed away at South Bruce Grey Health Centre, Chesley, on Monday, June 10, 2024, in his 83rd year, surrounded by his family.

Beloved husband of Bonnie (Martin) for 61 years. Loving father of Ben (Sheri) of Tara, Wendy Robson of Chesley, and Rick (Linda) of Hanover. Cherished Papa Ted of Justin (Sarah), Tyson (Kayla), Jennifer (Jason), Jonathan (Becky), Chris (Brittany), Riley (Taylor), Rebecca (Dalton), Amy, Brooke (James) and Rachael, and great-grandfather of 11.  Dear brother of Jack (Maureen) of Kitchener, Betty Brown of Hanover, Sharon Johnston of Durham, and Randy (Lynn) of Hanover. Ted will be missed by the Martin family, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Dolores Bailey, his brother Larry Rier, and his parents Alvin and Loretta (Mawhinney) Rier.

A funeral service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Elmwood, on Friday, June 14, 2024, at 11 a.m. Private interment will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Elmwood.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Chesley Hospital Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.