Jeffrey L. Heath, 64, Leiters Ford, passed away at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, at his residence. This followed a valiant battle with chronic pancreatitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease “COPD.”

On Jan. 2, 1954, Mr. Heath was born in Hammond to Robert and Alice Wilczynski Heath. He arrived within minutes of his older twin sister Julie. Growing up he shared his childhood with two brothers Bobby and Tommy, twin sister Julie and sister Mary.

On March 3, 1973,  in South Holland, Ill. Jeff Heath married the love of his life, Sharon Newenhouse. They have shared 45 years of life’s adventures. From their union came three wonderful children:  Kimberly, Michelle and Jeffery. The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of four grandchildren.

Talented with working with his hands, he was a master welder for Pullman Standard Train Coach Company and Union Tank Car Company. Known as “Mr. Fix-it” to his family and friends he could fix anything. He was gifted with woodworking and metal fabrication, leaving his finger print on his family home applying many special touches.

An accomplished cook and baker, he joined Sharon in the kitchen for many cooking adventures. One of his specialties was making bread from scratch. To relax, he loved fishing on the Tippecanoe River. To treat his wife on Mother’s Day he fished, cleaned the catches of the day and prepared a great home cooked dinner with all the trimmings for his family.

Left to cherish Jeff Heath’s memories are his wife, Sharon; two daughters: Kimberly Heath, Culver; Michelle Heath, Lowell;  one son, Jeffery Heath, Culver; four grandchildren: Dustin Ehlinger, Hanna Soto and husband Mike, Devin Ehlinger, Sophia Heath; two sisters: his twin, Julie Bauer and husband Jim, Chicago Ridge, Ill.; Mary Raynor and husband Randy, Dyer; two nieces and a nephew, Ashley, Sydney and Jack; a special family friend who is like a daughter, Rhonda Bitterling, Star City; an amazing and compassionate care-giver Cheri Sparks with Great Lakes Caring Hospice; canine companions Spanky, a Terrier-Shih-Tzu blend, Angus and Zeta, both Yorkshire terriers; and numerous precious grand-dogs.

Preceding Jeff Heath in death are his mother Alice Heath, father Robert Heath on January 20, 2018, and two Heath brothers, Bobby and Tommy.

Private family services are planned.