Owen B. 'Obie' Teel

1928 - 2024

Owen B. "Obie" Teel of Oscoda passed away on March 5, 2024, at age 95.
Obie was born on Nov. 27, 1928, in DuQuion, Ill. to the late Carl M. and Elva L. Teel. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1947 rising to the rank of Technical Sergeant, before being commissioned in 1955 from Officer's Candidate School and retiring as a Major in 1970.
During his military career, Obie was involved in several overseas tours and more than 22 bases and stations, which included Berlin, Germany during the Airlift and Frankfurt, Germany afterwards. He served as a Radar Adviser to the South Vietnamese Air Force in Da Nang, Vietnam from 1961 to 1962 and in the same capacity to the Iranian Royal Air Force in Hamadon, Dezful, and Tehran in 1969 to 1970.
During his second German tour from 1955 through 1959, Obie served as the Senior Director of Rhein Air Traffic Control Center manned by US Air Force, German Luftwaffe, and German civilian controllers. Later, he also was the senior officer in charge of testing the operation of the new computerized radar system when it became the first of its kind to become operational in the Air Force. He was also served as the program's Senior Director.
After his retirement from the Air Force, he worked with his wife as Co-Manager for the local Wards Catalog Agency and published the Wurtsmith News for several years. He became active in the Oscoda community and was a charter member of the Shoreline Players; a charter member of the Oscoda Rotary Club where he served as a Director for 12 years, President for two years, and published the club news letter for six years; a charter member of the Lake Huron Chapter of the Air Force Association; a Director of the Oscoda-AuSable Chamber of Commerce for six years; served as Publicity Chairman for Paul Bunyan Festival and was a Director for four years and President for one year; a Charter President of the Oscoda Optimist Club serving as Director for four years and President for an additional year.
He and his wife, Joni, were selected and honored as co-Citizens of the year in 1980. They were also long time members of the Oscoda Yacht Club.
Obie is survived by two sons, Michael (Janet) Teel of Galesburg, and David Teel and Nicole Fisher of Malibu, Calif.; seven grandchildren, Zachary, Zoe, Allyx, and Adam Teel and Hayley, Lucus, and Katie Gorak; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Joanne (Joni); three brothers, Carl P., Dale M., and E.D. (Al); and his daughter-n-law, Marcy.
Per his wishes, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will take place on a date yet to be determined followed by the interment of his cremains at Oscoda Pinecrest Cemetery, Oscoda.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors Charity in Obie's honor. You may offer your condolences online to the family at www.bureshfuneralhomes.com.