Terry Lee Bothel, “Uncle Jack” to his family, and “Pappy” to his coworkers at Honda, 83, of Bellefontaine, passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at home surrounded by his loving wife, children, and grandchildren.
He was born in Sidney, Ohio on April 15, 1941, to the late Kenneth Bothel and Rosemary (Cook) Bothel Castle. He is also preceded in death by his infant brother, Kenneth Bothel; sisters and brothers-in-law: Linda (Lee) Ward and Ann (Jim) Layman.
He married Karen “Kay” (Lykins) Bothel in March of 1970, and she survives in Bellefontaine.
He also leaves behind his children: Lisa (Mark) Schroeder of DeGraff, Kenneth Bothel of Oil City, PA, Chris (Kristi) Bothel of West Mansfield, Sandy (Jerry) McBean of Delaware, Ohio, and Jeff (Christie) Bothel of Bellefontaine; ten grandchildren: Breanna (Clinton) Buchenroth, Kristina Bothel, Laura (Allen) Gayhart, Shannon Bothel, Amber (Nick) Woodbury, Dylan (Jessica Hobbs) McBean, Kiarra (Francisco Javier Gutierrez) Coats, Preston Bothel, Kaydence (Hunter Lattimer) Bothel, and Cason Bothel; nine great grandchildren with one on the way; sisters: Pat (Don) Shoffner, Kaye (Greg) Bodenmiller; and Carlene Stearns; and many nieces and nephews.
Terry was a painter by trade, employed at Miller Meteor, Ford Motor Company, Airstream, and Honda of America at Marysville and East Liberty where he retired in 2004.
Terry and Kay became foster parents to several children in 1972 and later moved to Sidney, where they became president of the Shelby County Foster Parents Association while living in Port Jefferson, he was nominated township commissioner.
He was an avid gardener, animal lover, and bird watcher. Terry loved his pine trees and sharing his garden produce with others. Many people benefitted from his gardening wisdom and advice. Other hobbies included sitting on his cabin porch listening to bluegrass, entertaining his grandchildren, and including them in his garden planting.
Terry is a member of the Mt. Tabor Church of God, where he helped build the first dormitory on the church campgrounds. Where he cooked breakfast alongside his wife for the Church of God camp meeting and later in life, they continued to work in the camp meeting kitchen cutting vegetables.
Brother Nathan Price will officiate a funeral service at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 25, at the Mt. Tabor Church of God, 8113 Co Rd 13, DeGraff, OH 43318. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service from 9 to 10 a.m. and also Friday, January 24, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow the service in Huntsville Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Tabor Church of God Missionary Fund, 8113 Co Rd 13, De Graff, OH 43318.
Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Bellefontaine, is honored to serve the Bothel family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.