Theodore John "Ted" Mattle, 80, of Tuscumbia died of complications resulting from Alzheimer''s in the company of his family on Friday, January 17, 2014. A memorial service will be held at Pine Hill Church of Christ in Waterloo at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 25 with David Rushlow officiating.

Ted is survived by his wife, Sylvia; his brother, Raymond; his daughters, Ann Griffin, Lynn O''Connor and Gayle Blake; his son, Karl; and eight grandchildren.

Ted was born in Rochester, NY and educated at Union College in Schenectady, NY. He graduated with a Bachelor''s Degree in Civil Engineering in 1955. While studying engineering, Ted lettered for three years as the Center on the Union Football Team. Ted married Sylvia Marie Korff who remained his life-long love of 58 years. Ted was a veteran of the United States Army and a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of New York.

Ted made his living railroading, serving as an executive for the New York, Pennsylvania and Reading Railroads. It was railroading that inspired Ted to move his family to Alabama in 1972 so he could lease railroad maintenance equipment for the Royce Kershaw Company of Montgomery. While working for Kershaw, Ted plied his railroading traveling the U.S., Canada and foreign countries. As his family will attest, an all too frequent week would find Ted spending time in places disparate as Vancouver, British Columbia, Australia, and New York City, before returning home on the weekend to tend his small cattle farm in Deatsville, AL.

The closest Ted would come to retirement following his railroading career was to buy a 137 acre farm in Cloverdale, AL. At its largest, his herd consisted of 65 breeder cows, two bulls and their offspring. Ted loved his farm and his breeders. His 2200 lb. prize bull, Abraham, was Ted''s personal pet. While cattle farming, Ted was an active member of the Lauderdale County Cattlemen''s Association, serving as president in 2007-08. Ted and Sylvia retired from cattle farming in 2011.

Ted held a special affection for the members of Waterloo Church of Christ and Pine Hill Church of Christ. Ted''s family also wishes to extend a special thank you to Elder Care Services and Hospice of the Shoals for their fine and loving care.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Ted''s honor to Hospice of the Shoals; 115 Fairground Rd.; Florence, AL 35630.