1920
2017
Teddy John Meiller went home to the open arms of his Father in Heaven on October 28, 2017. He was born in Tecumseh, Nebraska, on November 29, 1920, the seventh child of eleven of Rev. John Meiller and his wife, Bertha Meiller.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Fojtik Meiller, in 2005 after a marriage just one week shy of 62 years, and by his sons, Joaquin Meiller in 1999 and Vaughn Meiller in 2007. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Rev. John and Bertha Meiller; seven brothers, Herman Meiller, Edward Meiller, Alfred Meiller, Paul Meiller, Albert Meiller, Gus Meiller and Charlie Meiller, as well as his two sisters, Emma Bertha Meiller and Emma Meiller McDonnell. He is survived by two sons, Gary Meiller and Brian Meiller; his sister, Ruth Meiller Fridel of Bryan; his sister-in-law, Delores Fojtik Hall, of Tucker, Georgia; and numerous loving nieces and nephews.
Teddy served in the U. S. Navy for three years during World War II. He married Mildred Fojtik on November 20, 1943, in New Orleans, Louisiana, while in the Navy. They had four sons born to this union, Joaquin, Vaughn, Gary and Brian Meiller.
Teddy went to work in 1940 as a machinist in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Texas A&M University until 1943 when he joined the Navy. He served in New Orleans, Louisiana, until the end of the war, and then moved to Lake Jackson, Texas, in 1945 to work as a machinist with Dow Chemical Company. He and his family moved back to Bryan in 1947 and he worked as a lab technician, including being operator, at Aerospace Engineering at Texas A&M University until his retirement in 1984, after 43 years of service.
Always the inventor, Teddy invented the Torqheel in 1960 which was a correctional device, initially with children in mind, placed on the soles of shoes to help with foot problems. His invention helped countless children who were pigeon-toed or bowlegged, and did so without the need for leg braces.
Teddy and Mildred enjoyed dancing and were often seen on a dance floor displaying their natural ability for dancing–everything from country and western, square dancing, and their famous jitterbug!
One of Teddy's favorite past-times was having a cup of coffee at the local Kettle and making new friends, not only with the staff but with other customers. He never met a stranger, and enjoyed talking with people from ages 1 to 100! He hung his hat many times at the Kettle, and he treasured his time there, trading stories and just enjoying his retirements days.
With his blue eyes sparkling, he brought joy to all who knew him, and he will be sorely missed.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 1 at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 – 7 p.m. Tuesday with a rosary service at 6:00 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or to the charity of choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Memorial Funeral Chapel.
2 Entries
March 12, 2018
He was an inspiration to me & helped shape my adult life by being my godfather when I chose my church and was baptised. I'll always see him walking to work at A&M and waving to so many! Love you, Uncle Ted. Jeannie Davis Matulewicz
November 1, 2017
Melanie Mattil
Uncle Ted and his wife took me and my sister, Monica, with them to Lake LBJ in the summer to Fred Woods' cabins. They insisted on taking us along, even though they had a car full with their 3 sons. Uncle Ted was always so patient and did all the driving. They were so gracious and did all the cooking while at the cabin. I recall that he loved our fruit ambrosia salad when we'd take it to grandma's house. I loved dancing with him, too. He was always jolly. Will miss him!
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