Ted Slanker

SLANKER

Ted Slanker, age 74, of London, Ohio, went home to God peacefully on August 19, 2023. Ted was born in Dayton, Ohio on December 17, 1948. He is preceded in death by his loving wife Anne Slanker, his parents Warren and Geneva Slanker, and brothers Steve Slanker and Craig Slanker. He is survived by his children Krista (Bill) Houk and Nathan (Amy) Slanker, grandchildren Samuel and Savanna Houk, Annabelle Slanker, Nick (Annie) Houk and Greg (Paige) Houk, brother Daniel (Valerie) Slanker, sister-in-law Lona Slanker, loving cousin Helen Haas, dear friend Kathy Scanlon, nephews Joel (Stacy) Slanker, Andy (Stefanie) Slanker and Michael (Lindsey) Slanker, niece J.J. Slanker, as well as great nieces and nephew Tessa, Gracie Lucy, and Shepherd Slanker.

Ted graduated from Bethel High School in 1967. He moved to Columbus, Ohio not long after graduation to work as an orderly for The Ohio State University Hospital’s Emergency Room and attend The Ohio State University. While living in an apartment in Columbus, he met Anne, the love of his life and wife for 39 years before her passing in 2011.

Ted and Anne moved to London in 1975 where they found the place they called home for the rest of their lives. He started his own business and had a successful career as the owner/operator of Slanker Drainage in London. If you asked Ted what he did for a living, he’d proudly say “I’m a ditchdigger” and he certainly lived up to the title by digging thousands of miles of ditches in farm fields across Ohio. Ted had an engineer’s mind and could fix almost anything. He built a lot of his own equipment that he used in his business. As his career continued, he saw an opportunity to evolve his business to build sports fields and led sports turf drainage projects for schools, colleges, and universities across the Midwest, including notably and proudly supporting the renovation of The Ohio State University football field from 1999-2001.

Ted loved the London community and gave so much of himself to the community through his work and deeds. He put his sports field experience to good use when he served on the London Booster Association and helped lead the effort to develop the sports complex at London High School from 1990-1996. Ted was an active member of many community groups and boards over the years. Most recently, he served on the Madison County Board of Developmental Disabilities for many years, including a term as President. He had a deep faith and was a member of the London Presbyterian Church for more than 45 years; over the last few years, he attended Liberty Presbyterian Church with his daughter and her family.

In his retirement, he drove a truck for a local farm and also helped several family friends with their harvests in Illinois – he truly loved being around the hustle of an active farm! He found a lot of fulfillment in all of the jobs he had throughout his life, but the greatest job he ever had was being a grandpa. Popa Ted adored his grandchildren and shared many wonderful adventures with Sammy, Savanna and Annabelle through the years! One of his favorite activities was mushroom hunting with his son, and he also loved traveling with his family and even tolerated beach trips on multiple occasions.

Ted was very close with his whole family and had a special bond with his many Studebaker cousins. He was very proud to be part of the Studebaker family which led him to have a great love of Studebaker cars and enjoyed driving his 1948 Studebaker convertible around town and on car tours. His Studebaker roots instilled in him to live the motto “Always give more than you promise”. Ted embodied this sentiment in everything that he did. He was the hardest worker his family knew. He was always willing to lend a helping hand and always showed up for his friends and family to help out with any project that needed him. To remember Ted, we encourage those reading this to follow in his example of always being a helper and always giving more than is asked of you. If you’d like to give a donation in Ted’s memory, please give to an organization that helps others and serves a community well – just like Ted served his family, friends, and community for the past 74 years.

Ted will be buried alongside Anne at Studebaker Cemetery sometime this fall and a Celebration of Life will follow the graveside service.

The family is being served by the EBERLE-FISHER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, 103 North Main Street, London, Ohio 43140, where condolences are encouraged to be shared online at www.eberlefisherfuneralhome.com.

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