William Tekulve

William Blaine Tekulve (Bill, aka Teke), loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully September 15th, 2024, at the age of 91.

Bill was born to William J. and Matilda Tekulve (nee Hollencamp) on October 31, 1932, in Ludlow, KY. He grew up in Ludlow with his parents and two sisters, Jeanne and Ruth, and graduated from Covington Latin School. Bill completed studies in Industrial Engineering at the Ohio Mechanics Institute, then proudly served his country in the United States Army for two years beginning early 1953.

Growing up, Bill loved to play baseball with his friends in Ludlow, and he became one of the top shortstops in the area. Bill’s career in Ludlow included 4 years with the Ludlow Victors, 4 years with St. Boniface in the CYO, and 7 years with the Northern Kentucky Triple A team, the Ludlow Merchants. The Merchants won the league 7 years in a row, and won the Boone County Amateur League tournament 4 out of 5 years. Later, while serving overseas Bill was selected to play for the US Army team. In 2016, Bill was honored and inducted into the Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame.

After his years of military service, Bill worked at General Electric in Evendale, OH, and he retired from GE in 1991.

Bill met his bride Patricia H. Tekulve (nee Mitchell) while out with friends at a bar. Bill and Pat were married May 30, 1959 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church in Reading, OH. They raised two daughters, Jill and Tracy, in the Cincinnati suburbs of North College Hill and Anderson Township.

Bill and Pat were active members of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Parish where Bill ran the bingo, served as usher, and was part of the Sunday collection counter team. Bill was an avid card player, bowler, and he enjoyed working outdoors in the yard and garden. Most recently, Bill enjoyed exercising and playing bingo with his friends at Brookdale Assisted Living in Findlay, OH.

Bill and Pat hosted many family holiday gatherings, and enjoyed travelling the country together. They especially enjoyed their annual Michigan beach town vacations with their daughters families. In 2009, Bill and Pat hosted an incredible family Hawaiian cruise vacation to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

Bill is survived by his two daughters, Jill (Larry) Stopczynski and Tracy (John) Tadena, six wonderful grandchildren, Brynn (Ryley) Niese, Abby Tadena, Aaron Stopczynski, Mason Tadena, Jamie Stopczynski, and Joseph Stopczynski, and two beautiful great-grandchildren, Jed Niese and Ila Niese. Bill was preceded in death by his wife Patricia, father William, mother Matilda, and his sisters Jeanne Westerkamm and Ruth Tekulve.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, September 23, 2024, at 10:00 am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 7820 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati, OH, with Father Steve Angi as celebrant. Military honors and a luncheon will follow Mass, then Rite of Committal will be held at Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, Cincinnati, OH. Receiving of family and friends will be Sunday, September 22nd from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at TP White & Sons Funeral Home, 2050 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati, OH, with a Rosary beginning at 4:00pm.

Memorial donations may be made to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Parish in Cincinnati.