Theodore Charles "Ted" Place

Theodore "Ted" Charles Place, 89, of South Auburn, Pennsylvania passed away on Monday, July 14, 2025, on his 89th birthday. He died at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Hospital surrounded by his family. He was the son of the late Theodore Place Jr. (d. May 5, 1985) and Mamie McMicken Place (d. February 20, 1991).

Ted was a graduate of the Meshoppen High School with the class of 1954. He met his wife of 66 years, Rebecca Sheldon Place, in 1955 when he went to the Sheldon Farm in Laceyville to buy a silo. They were married on June 12, 1959. Together they owned and operated Nickolyn Places Dairy Farm, a 3rd generation farm which has been recognized as a Century Farm by the state of Pennsylvania. Ted was the happiest when he was driving tractors, especially the John Deere 620 which was his first tractor purchased in 1959.

Ted was a member of many state, county and local associations which included the President of the Meshoppen High School Association; South Auburn Grange #1188, including serving as past Master; past member and leader of the South Auburn 4-H Club; South Auburn Cemetery Association Secretary/Treasurer; 50 year member of the Franklin Lodge #263 F&AM, past Treasurer; Susquehanna County Extension Advisory Committee; Susquehanna County Ag Easement Committee, President; Auburn Township Supervisors Secretary for 30 years; Susquehanna County Township Officials Association past President; Auburn Township Emergency Management Coordinator; Susquehanna County Planning Commission, past President; Susquehanna County Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, including the Northeast Region Environmental Coordinator with DEP and he was the recipient of the PFB State Leadership Award in 2010; and the American Holstein Association. In addition, he was a long-term Red Cross blood donor during his prime.

For his spare time, nothing would compare to riding a tractor; however, he did enjoy taking rides around the area and enjoying meals with friends and family. He will be widely remembered for being very generous with his time and resources, and he widely lent a helping hand to others to get crops in, get equipment fixed or help in a hard situation. He loved his family and was known as his Papa Ted by his grandchildren.

Ted is survived by his wife of 66 years, Rebecca; son, Dr. Nick (Debbie) Place of Watkinsville, GA; daughter, Lyn Place of Meshoppen, PA; his grandchildren, Dr. Lindsay (Josh) VonMoss, Kailey (Kevin) Gilley, and Dr. Lucas Place of Gainesville, FL; Brandon (Emily) Cleveland, Blaise (Ali) Cleveland, and Logan Cleveland (Tiffany Toth) of South Auburn, PA. He is also survived by great-children, Avery and Owen VonMoss; Caleb, Matthew and Kate Gilley; Annalyn, Madalyn, Evelyn and Landon Cleveland; and Peyton and Greyson Cleveland; and son-in-law, Barry Cleveland of Brantingham, NY; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, June Place Dunn (d. February 27, 1997). His father-in-law and mother-in-law, Benjamin O. Sheldon (d. July 3, 1973) and Bertha Beeman Sheldon (d. September 7, 2006).

Viewing hours for Ted will be held on Friday, July 18, 2025 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Sheldon Funeral Home, 459 Main Street, Laceyville, PA, with a Grange service to be held on Friday evening July 18, 2025 at 7:00 PM. Masonic services will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 2:00 PM, followed by his funeral services at the South Auburn United Methodist Church with Lay Minister Vickie Ellis of the Beaver Meadows Church officiating. Interment will follow at the South Auburn Cemetery.

The family would like to thank all of Ted's caregivers at the Tunkhannock Methodist Manor, the Tunkhannock Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center and Geisinger Wyoming Valley Hospital that provided him care over these past months and days. In addition, the family thanks Jane Murphy, Beth Mowry, Carol Rosenbaum and Mathew Mowry who helped keep him at home and for their compassion to all the family.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the South Auburn Grange #1188, c/o Charlene Tewksbury, 1630 SR 3001, Meshoppen, PA, 18630 or to the South Auburn Church, c/o Steve Love, 3810 State Route 3001, Meshoppen, PA 18630.

Arrangements were made through the Sheldon Funeral Home, 459 Main St., Laceyville, PA.

Online condolences may be made at www.SheldonFuneralHomes.com