Ted W. Liechty, 66, of Bluffton, passed away peacefully with his wife and daughter by his side, on Friday evening, Feb. 26, 2016, at his residence.

Born on Feb. 3, 1950, in Decatur, IN, to Roman and Kathryn (Nussbaum) Liechty, Ted married Elaine A. Gerber in Decatur on Feb. 16, 1979; she survives.

A 1968 graduate of South Adams High School, Ted served in the United States Navy as a corpsman from 1970 to 1972, spending two of those years stationed in Japan and then the Mediterranean, serving as a medic.

Ted worked for L H Carbide in Ft. Wayne for 40 years, where he worked in the tool and dye department and then later as a process engineer until his retirement in 2015.  In his free time, Ted especially enjoyed hunting, fishing and golfing.

In addition to his wife, Ted is survived by three daughters, Tara (Roger) Steffen of Berne, Angie (Toby Schaden) Liechty of Montpelier, and Tawnya Lehman of Berne; two sons, Todd (Leah) Lehman of Berne, and Mark Liechty of Ft. Wayne; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Sue Carlson of Berne, and Peg (Ben) Harris of Angola; a brother, Tim (Cathy) Liechty of Berne; and a sister-in-law, Stephanie Liechty of Berne.

Aside from his parents, Ted was preceded in death by an infant son, Eric Liechty; a brother, Tony Liechty; and a brother-in-law, Bert Carlson.

A memorial service to celebrate Ted's life will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, Mar. 1, 2016, at Goodwin – Cale & Harnish Memorial Chapel in Bluffton, followed by military rites provided by the United States Navy in conjunction with the Bluffton American Legion Post 111.  Kole Meyer will officiate.  Friends and family are welcome to gather for one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.  Burial will be at the Apostolic Christian Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions can be given to the ALS Association.