Theodore J. Nickle (Ted) died February 4, 2023.  He was a humorist; a caring soul; a dedicated teacher; a beloved husband, father and brother; and was once mistaken for a wizard.  He was born in Springfield, MO on November 10, 1938 to Martha and Joe Nickle, but lived the majority of his childhood in Mountain Grove, MO.

In 1960 he graduated from Drury College (now University) and after working on his graduate degree at the University of Oklahoma, taught in the mathematics department at Drury for 38 years.  He believed deeply in the importance of education and had high expectations for his students. He wanted them to succeed and delighted in their accomplishments.  He loved teaching math, even having us solve math problems as entertainment on long road trips.

As a Boy Scout, Ted believed in being prepared: this included carrying a football, basketball, baseball and glove in the trunk of his car just in case anyone wanted to have a catch.   He loved being in Florida and listening to the ocean and watching the sunset.  He played racquetball until he was 80 and continued to engage in the activities that brought him joy.

Ted quietly helped others in his life and modeled the importance of  being kind and caring for others. He entertained family, friends, and the occasional passing car with his wit and puns. He could explain difficult subjects in a way that made you feel more intelligent when he was done, and he worked to learn from his mistakes.  He showed us how to be brave in the face of fear, how to confront anxiety and how to pick the line that would take the longest at the grocery store check-out.

Ted loved God, his family, his friends, and OU football.  He will be greatly missed, yet his family is thankful that his long battle with cancer is now over.  He is survived by his wife, Julie; his daughters, Beth and Pam; his sister Ann Gebhardt; sisters- in-law Carol Snider (Ken), Marilyn Batson and Mary Phouthone; brothers-in-law Tony Petersen, Joe Petersen (Mary) and Bill Grier (Ellen).  He will also be missed by his nieces and nephews:  Eric Gebhardt (Heather); Shara Gebhardt; Christy Snider; Trisha Kline (Kevin); Paul Snider (Robin); Elizabeth Surmiak (Andrew); Chris Smith (Hannah); Kevin Petersen (Megan); Matthew Petersen; Shawn Petersen (Elliana); Victor Petersen; Lana Petersen; as well as 15  great-nephews and nieces.  Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Martha and Joe Nickle, his parents-in-law Marion and Joseph Petersen, and his nephew, Doug Batson.

In memory of Ted, reach out to someone who needs a little help, tell a bad pun or two or solve a difficult math problem.  A visitation will be held Thursday, February 9, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home with a memorial service to be held on Friday, February 10, 2023 at 11:00 am at the funeral home.   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Convoy of Hope https://convoyofhope.org/donate/ or Siteman Cancer Center (sarcoma treatment and research) https://siteman.wustl.edu/tribute .