Horace Theodore (Ted) Strode

Horace Theodore (Ted) Strode passed away peacefully at 1:30 AM on November 16, 2021 in his beloved Canton, Illinois. He was born January 19, 1932 in Canton to Oral G and Marguerite Herring Strode and was welcomed by his brother Dick L Strode, who was two. In 1954, he married the love of his life Martha Coultas at Shields Chapel. He is survived by Martha and daughters and their spouses Gayle Strode Blodgett and Doug of rural Cuba and Megan Strode Taylor and Jeff of Peoria.

Other survivors include his dearly loved grandchildren and their families Carolyn Blodgett and Jolena Trone; Caleb, Catherine and Griffin Blodgett; Case, Brynna and Siena Blodgett; Julian, Alaina and Lillian Taylor; Sydney Taylor Dole, Ryan Porter and his namesake Teddy; and his chosen grandson Josh Knowles. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Bill Coultas and wife Jane, his sister-in-law Nancy Reinertson, many nieces and nephews who enriched his life, and friends who became family, Cherrill and Marshall Morgan.

Ted was a proud Army veteran, serving at Fort Sill Oklahoma. He attended Western Illinois University, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees. A sports enthusiast, he enjoyed participating as a player, coach and spectator in a wide range of activities including jumping rope, track, baseball, basketball, golf, pickleball, and riding a stationary bike at the YMCA. He played second base for Canton High School and was inducted into the Canton Sports Hall of Fame with his team.
Ted was a Die-Hard Cubs Fan and with Martha, frequently attended Spring Training as well as multiple Cubs games each year; he attended 32 Cubs Conventions and was a member of the Peoria Cubs Boosters. One highlight of his life was attending Randy Hundley’s Fantasy Camp where he had a hit off Hoyt Wilhelm and fouled off a pitch from Fergie Jenkins. He currently has his name on a paving brick outside Wrigley Field.

Ted was a school teacher and principal who was always proud of Lincoln and Eastview schools where he was the opening principal. He was well known for his love of Canton as evidenced by his attendance and support of community groups and activities. He participated in numerous civic groups including the Friendship Festival Board as president, Fulton County Tourism Council, United Way as director, Canton American Legion, Masonic Lodge, YMCA and Wee-Ma-Tuk Country Club. He also served on the Fulton County Board and Spoon River Foundation Golf Outing Committee and was active as a volunteer for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and the American Heart Association's Jump for Heart. He and his wife, Martha, were honored to be chosen as the Festival Parade Marshals in 2016.

Ted was a lifelong member of Shields Chapel United Methodist Church where he served as a teacher, board member, class officer, mission team member, softball player, and coach. He loved God, church and church family, and often invited others to attend. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, church and community.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM at Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory in Canton on Sunday, November 21, 2021 with burial and military honors conducted by the United States Army and Canton VFW Post #1984, following at Shields Chapel Cemetery. Rev. Andy Hoskins will officiate. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made in Ted’s honor to Shields Chapel Church. To watch Ted’s DVD or to leave online condolences please visit www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com