Dr. Elvin Jesse "Doc" Teachout, 78, died at his winter home in Sun City West, Arizona, on February 11, 2009. He was born on June 12, 1930 to Lowell and Anna (Brooks) Teachout. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Ruth Swigart and Doris Dugger; and a son, John Mark Teachout (May 8, 2007).
On December 23, 1951, Elvin was united in marriage to Shirley Baker. To this union were born: Cynthia, Edward, Diane, David and John. He was a 1948 graduate of Shenandoah High School and played on the infamous Coach Tebbe's football team. Prior to their marriage, Elvin attended Northwest Missouri State University and played football. He was inducted into the "M Club Athletic Hall of Fame" in 1995. Elvin served from 1951 through 1955 in the United States Air Force veterinary division at Nouasseur Air Depot in Casablanca, Morocco. Upon his return to the United States, he attended Iowa State University and received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1961 and immediately returned home to Shenandoah after a 10 year absence. These years saw a busy general practice service on various community boards. He was past director of the Shenandoah Chamber of Commerce (1969-72), past president of the organizations of Southwest Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, and the Southwest Iowa State University Alumni Association. He also served on the American Legion Board, Mustang Booster Club, and was a life long member of the United Methodist Church. In 1991, he received the "Friend of Agriculture" award from the Shenandoah Chamber of Commerce. In 1989, after 28 years in private veterinary practice, Dr. Teachout took employment as a supervisory veterinarian with the State of Iowa Dept. of Agriculture. He retired in 1999. In 2005, he became a certified member of the Iowa Veterinary Rapid Response Team. In 1992, he was elected to the Shenandoah City Council and served in that office for 16 years. Elvin was proud of his commitment serving as a youth mentor in the M.A.Y. Mentoring Program. In 1992, Dr. Teachout traveled with his wife, Shirley, to Russia as an agri-business exchange delegate for Iowa State University. In 2004, the couple traveled as ambassadors for Shenandoah to the sister city of Tisovec, Slovakia. Dr. Teachout was also a licensed private pilot.
Survivors include his wife of over 57 years, Shirley; their children, Cynthia Schuler and her husband Warren of Red Oak, IA; Edward Teachout and his wife Gina of Damascus, OR; Diane Antisdel and her husband Monte of Adel, IA; David Teachout and partner Mark Koskamp of Des Moines, IA; daughter-in-law, Carol Christopher of Madison, WI; and mother-in-law, Pearl Baker of Shenandoah.
Elvin was known and beloved as "Poppie" to his eight grandchildren, Vanessa Sethi and her husband Rajan; Kirk Schuler and his wife Carrie; Zach Setterburg and his wife Jill; Hilary and Wyatt Setterburg; Alyson and Jenessa Teachout; and Lacy Rumsey and her husband Ramon; five great grandchildren, Jane and Bodey Setterburg; Enzo Sethi; Logan and Evan Rumsey. Also surviving are brothers and their wives, Jerry and Darlene Teachout; Bryson and Francine Teachout; and Orlin and Connie Teachout; step-sister, Joan Setterburg; and many loved nieces, nephews and friends.
Memorial Services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, February 27, 2009 at the United Methodist Church in Shenandoah with Rev. Clark Finehout officiating. Tending to the memorial register was Mary Alice Johnson and Pat Oxenford, while Dorothy Cambier cared for the flowers. Assisting with the ushering duties were Howard Johnson, Chuck Oxenford and Duane Rexroth. Mark Koskamp, shared his talent at the piano and played a special solo of "Morning Has Broken". Other special music for the service included "For The Beauty Of The Earth" and "Let There Be Peace On Earth". Inurnment followed at the Rose Hill Cemetery with Military Honors being conducted by the American Legion Post #88 of Shenandoah.

Memorials may be directed to the Shenandoah United Methodist Church, People for Paws, or The Shenandoah Library.