Feb. 14, 1977 – April 16, 2025
Jeffery Luke DeWitt, a man of grit, humor, and immeasurable heart, passed away Wednesday, April 16, 2025 after a short battle with pneumonia, with his wife, Christine, by his side, also surrounded by those he loved most.
Born in Door County on Feb. 14, 1977, Jeffery carried with him a midwestern work ethic that knew no bounds. Whether it was the job at hand or the fight for his life, Jeff approached it all with the same relentless determination. Diagnosed with cancer in 2015, he refused to let it define or defeat him. Through years of treatment, Jeff showed up for life with unmatched perseverance, embodying the very definition of strength. That perseverance showed even as he tried to keep working at Bay Ship until his end. He was employed at Bay Ship for over 20 years, rising to Department Manager of the paint department.
Jeff will be missed by his wife of 25 years, Christine DeWitt; children, Dakota (Samantha) Henschel, Amanda (Brett) Antholt, Ty (Mia) DeWitt, and Kelsey Fels and special Friend, Krissy Gray; grandchildren, Jaxon, Evelyn, Mason, Ember, Annette, Barrett, Kalvin, Arthur, Aaron, and Briar; parents-in-law, Clarence and Carol Leitner; siblings, Seraphin (Sherry) DeWitt and Faye (Jeff) Nedobeck; brother-in-law, Tim (Chari) Browning; special uncles and aunts; nephews, Joey Parrish, William Browning, Andrew Browning; Chad (Tammy) Westphalen and family, Roger (Tammy) Schmidt and family, Ken (Nancy) VanHueklon and family, Tina Schultz and family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Luke DeWitt and Cheryl (Joel) Stradel; and many other family members.
There was rarely a weekend he wasn’t out camping with his wife, children, best friends, and his beloved grandchildren. His countless adventures with his wife, including cherished trips to Florida that became treasured memories.
But what truly made Jeff unforgettable was his sharp wit and signature sarcasm. His sense of humor spared no one – not even the doctors and nurses who walked beside him and his family during their long journey with cancer. His ability to crack a joke, even while hooked up to IVs or waiting on test results, brought laughter to the darkest rooms. Jeff was the kind of man who, even at the very end, made sure others were smiling through their tears.
Jeffery leaves behind a legacy defined by love, laughter, and unshakable strength. He was a father, a grandfather, a friend, and a fighter – someone who never backed down from a challenge and never missed the chance to make someone laugh, even at his own expense. His presence was steady, his spirit unbreakable, and his sarcasm legendary. Though he’s no longer with us, his memory lives on in every campfire story, every trapshooting echo, every sunset, and every well-timed joke that catches someone off guard – just the way he would’ve wanted it.
Visitation for family and friends will be held after 4 pm on Thursday, April 24, 2025 at Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay. A time of remembrance will conclude the evening at 7 pm.
Memorials may be given in Jeff’s honor for DoorCANcer, Inc. (P.O. Box 423, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235; www.doorcancer.com/donate) in Jeff’s memory.
A special thank you to the staff of Unity Hospice and Nikki Rademaker for all your help and care.
Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Jeffery may be shared with his family through his tribute page at HuehnsFuneralHome.com