He was born on Nov. 23, 1946 to Charles "Chuck" and Opal Jeskewitz of Mercer. He was baptized and confirmed in Zion Lutheran Church, Mercer, and graduated from Mercer High School in 1964. He worked at Badger Ordinance, an ammunitions factory in Baraboo, until he enrolled in the Colorado School of Trades. He graduated as a gunsmith in 1973 and began his trade at John’s Sport Shop in Hartford, where he worked until 1988. From 1989 until his death, Jeff worked as a gunsmith at Jay’s Sport Shop in Menomonee Falls. He enjoyed auto racing, and worked at the Slinger Speedway from 1979 until 1999.

Among Jeff’s passions were guns, hunting, and fishing. He was an excellent gunsmith, and an expert marksman. He hunted elk, whitetails, mule deer, and grouse, and shot league trap in his younger years. He loved to summer fish and ice fish for walleyes, perch, and crappies. Another of Jeff’s loves was the Green Bay Packers. He was a diehard fan, and never missed a game. Jeff also enjoyed cribbage and pinochle, and rarely lost a game of pool.

He is survived by his stepmother, Helen Theisen Jeskewitz of Venice, Fla.; brother Jerald (Donna) Jeskewitz of Wheat Ridge, Colo.; sister Joyce (Brian) Bednar of Mercer; three nieces, Jodie (Ed) Clemens of Hurley, Joni (Dave) Diges of Peshtigo, and Debbie Jeskewitz of Wheat Ridge; a nephew, Donald Jeskewitz of Wheat Ridge; three great-nephews, Ryan, Shawn, and Timmy Oestreich of Peshtigo; great-niece Casey Oestreich of Peshtigo; and special friends, Kenneth and Diane Rayeske of Menomonee Falls, John and Pat Unser of Hustisford, Ivan and Jeanne Gahl of Menomonee Falls, and Allan Guay of Fond du Lac. He is further survived by other relatives and friends.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 11 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Mercer, with Rev. Jerald Jeskewitz officiating. Family greeted relatives and friends on Tuesday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the church.

Interment Mercer Cemetery.

Locally, a memorial service will be held Saturday, Jan. 3, 2004 at 3 p.m. with visitation from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Shimon Funeral Home, 824 Union St. (Hwy 83 N), Hartford.

Jeff was loved much by his family and friends. He was thoughtful and generous, and never lost his great sense of humor. He loved to share a good joke and always made us laugh. Jeff was an inspiration to us all. He left us too soon, but we are blessed with so many wonderful memories of him. We will miss him always, until we meet again.