Theodore T. Westphal

Theodore Thomas Westphal passed away peacefully, February 12, 2024, with loving family by his side.

Ted was born December 5, 1925 in Bridgewater, Mich., the only son of Arthur P. Westphal and Vera M. Westphal. He spent his childhood working his parent’s farm and left home at 14.

Ted was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Westphal, in July, 2019.

Ted is survived by three daughters, Cindy (Terrence) Dempsey, Colby Westphal, and Cory (Pat) Montagano; two grandchildren, Thomas Singer (Cecilia Alcala), and Brittany Haley; and one great-granddaughter, Bianca Singer (Miss B). Ted is also survived by two sisters, Janice Gross and Joyce Goupill, both of Saline, and was preceded in death by his sister, Arlene Merritt of Tecumseh. Other survivors include his nephews, nieces and relatives in Michigan, Virginia and Florida.

Ted left high school and joined the Navy. He was assigned to the BB57, USS South Dakota, one of the most decorated battleships in World War II and fought in nine of her 13 battles. Ted told countless stories over the next 80 years of his days aboard ship. Ted and Shirley attended numerous BB57 reunions at the memorial site in South Dakota.

In 1946, Ted met the love of his life, Shirley Eschelbach, at the IGA store in Manchester. Sometime later, she referred Ted to a customer who worked at Consumers Power. Shortly after, Ted was hired by Consumers and ultimately had a rewarding 36-year career with them, retiring as plant superintendent at the Northville Compressor Plant.

Ted had two passions, Shirley and cars. Over the span of their 69-year marriage, Ted purchased over 200 cars and nine motorhomes. His love of speed was evidenced thru his adventures with cars, motorcycles and snowmobiles.

When he was 50 years old, he couldn’t visit his newborn grandson at the hospital… Days prior he had broken his leg, racing his motorcycle in the gravel pits. The boys and their toys. For years, they enjoyed time up North at their cottage and snowmobile safaris with family and friends. Shirley was always supportive of Ted’s many purchases throughout their marriage.

Ted and Shirley both retired at the age of 58. Soon after, they sold their home and purchased their first motorhome. They spent their winters as snowbirds in Texas and traveled around the U.S., visiting most states, including Alaska. They made several trips to Florida and California to visit their daughters. In over 20 winters at Fun N Sun in San Benito, Texas, Ted took up silversmithing and woodworking.

Ted and Shirley loved to take their grandson and granddaughter on motorhome trips over summer breaks. Their motorhome years were a highlight of their lives. They sold their last motorhome at 84 and 82, respectively and purchased their last home in Tecumseh, just miles away from their first home in 1950, in Clinton.

To sum up Ted’s life, his words to live by were “I’ll do it my way.” He loved listening to Frank Sinatra sing that song. It was the essence of how he lived his life. No matter where Ted and Shirley went, they were always hand in hand.

A special thanks to all of Ted and Shirley’s caregivers over the last eight years, especially Pamela, Katie, Jessica and Margaret.

The family requests any donations be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, macular.org, in Ted’s name. No service will be held at this time, but a joint celebration of life will be held (per Ted and Shirley’s wishes) on June 10, their anniversary. Condolences may be offered to the family at handlerfuneralhomes.com in Tecumseh, Mich.