Artie Teal

Arturo Teal, age 84, of Phlox, died on October 24, 2025 at his home under the care of his family and LeRoyer Hospice. He was born on June 17, 1941 in Mattoon, a son of the late Arthur and Kathryn (Wolf) Teal. Artie attended St. Joseph Grade School and Mattoon and Antigo High Schools. On July 11, 1959, he married Peggy Flak at St. Hyacinth Catholic Church in Antigo, with Rev. Monsignor Vicor Hoppa officiating. Together, they shared 66 years of marriage and made their home in the Phlox area.
In 1961, Artie served with the National Guard. He was activated during the Berlin Crisis as an armored tank driver. After years of working alongside his father, he took over the family business, Teal's Prepared Foliage, in 1971. He remained dedicated to the business until his retirement in 2016.
Artie had a passion for vintage vehicles, owning three classic cars and a pink Harley-Davidson motorcycle with the license plate "Old Guy". He was an active member of St. Joseph Holy Family Catholic Parish, serving for many years on the cemetery committee. He enjoyed people, good conversations and a good joke and laugh. Artie will be remembered by the fast-food people as the "coffee man" and the older generation for his beautifully flocked Christmas trees. He is survived by his wife, Peggy; three children, Brian Teal, Kelly (Brad) Puls and Sandra (Curtis) Thiex; four grandchildren, Melissa, Kyle, Shawn, and Aaron; three great-grandchildren; a sister, Karen Opper; sisters-in-law, Sally Rudolph, Carol Wolfe, and Barbara Whitt; brothers-in-law, Paul (Mary) Flak and James Flak; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Artie was preceded in death by a son, Daniel Scott; his father and mother in-law, Walter and Esther Flak; sister, Janice Mattmiller; sister-in-law, Mary DeHart; brothers-in-law, Richard Opper, Vernon Mattmiller, Patrick Flak, Gary Rudolph, Larry Whitt, and Lyle DeHart; and a nephew, Mike Whitt.
A funeral Mass will take place at St. Joseph Holy Family Catholic Church in Phlox on Saturday, November 1 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Vicente Llagas officiating. Burial will take place at the parish cemetery along side his son.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 31 at the Bradley Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m with a parish wake service at 7 p.m. Visitation will also be held on Saturday from 9 to 10:15 a.m. at the funeral home followed by a procession to St. Joseph Holy Family Catholic Church for the funeral Mass.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Town of Norwood Volunteer Fire and Rescue Dept, the Mattoon Fire Dept and EMS, or to St. Joseph Holy Family Catholic Church.
A special thank you to the EMTs and wonderful hospice staff.
"A limb has fallen from the family tree that says grieve not for me. Remember the best times, the laughter, the song, and good life I lived while I was strong." To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Artie, please visit our floral store.