Jacob J. "Jeff" Wingert

WAUKESHA Jacob J. ‘Jeff’ Wingert Feb. 10, 1953 — July 29, 2018 It pains me to admit it, but apparently, I passed away on July 29, 2018. Everyone kept telling me it would happen one day but that was not something I wanted to hear, let alone experience. I guess there WAS something I couldn’t save forever...my life. While we are talking about my life, I was born Feb. 10, 1953, in Stanley, as Jacob Jeffery Wingert but most knew me as Jeff. I lived most of my life in Waukesha with the love of my life that I met in 1982, Lucille L. Wingert (nee Gregory). We shared four children: Jeffery (Karmen) Wingert, Dawn Gasper, Brenda (Todd) Krukowski, Gregory (Rebekah) Gasper, as well as three stepchildren Ricky, Rhonda and Ross Safro. The best part of getting old was watching my nine grandchildren grow up, and even better than that, I met my three great-grandchildren. Not many of us can brag about that. I was also known as “Papa” to many other children throughout the years. Throughout my life I loved tinkering with cars and trucks. I may not have finished much but I still loved it. The best things I did when not working as a mechanic were bowling, playing darts, and camping. I enjoyed hunting and fishing with my buddy Jason Maxwell or jammin’ on my guitar with Ben Morehouse and Gold Rush Band. Most knew me as a prankster or the laugh of any party. I would tell you that living life without laughing at yourself, isn’t living life at all. I loved to play Santa every year for the Cub Scouts at St. Joseph’s Church in Waukesha. I am now with my mother Evelyn; father, Jake; and sisters, Rochelle, Nancy, Dianne and Nina; so do not be afraid — I am not alone. I have waited a lifetime to talk with my mother and I know we will have much to say to each other. I will miss laughing with my remaining siblings, Duane (Joanne) Green, Pat (John) Thuis, Jackie Wynn and Roxanne Sheggeby and many other nieces, nephews and other great friends I consider family. T his is my life. There were no buildings named after me, no statues dedicated in my honor. But I did have the chance to know and love each and every friend as well as all my family members. How much more can someone ask for? So in the end, remember to do your best, laugh at yourself (because more than likely others already are) and do something(s) that amazes someone or makes others smile. I’ll leave you with this: Please do not cry because I’m gone. Instead, be happy that I was there. Come on out to help celebrate my going home with a party on August 17, 2018, at 7 p.m. at the Elks Club in Waukesha. Please bring your happy stories we shared together. Until we meet again, I will be singin’ and dancin’, probably naked.