JEFFREY H. MECKSTROTH

Jeffrey Howard Meckstroth, 66, of Piqua, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home at 10:40 a.m. Monday, May 15, 2023 following a valiant eight year battle with lung cancer. He was born April 4, 1957 in Troy to the late Jerry Meckstroth and Janet (Ginn) Weldy. Surviving is their other son James Meckstroth and their step-mother Judith Meckstroth, both of Piqua.

He met his wife Rhonda S. Jones, who also survives, in 1990 while they were working together at the Piqua Fire Department. They were able to develop an extremely close friendship together before they were married on February 14, 1997 in their home on the farm. Rhonda always voiced Jeff is her “great love story.”

Other survivors include his three children, Jason Meckstroth of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Kristin Meckstroth of Wichita Falls, Texas, and Erica Wilt of Troy. It is also important to the family to acknowledge his two lifelong friends that were always right by his side and treated him as a brother, Brandy Schulz and Phil Sullenberger, both of Piqua.

Jeff was a 1976 graduate of Piqua Central High School. He served proudly in the United States Army as a Military Police Officer. His main occupation was serving his community as a firefighter and paramedic with the Piqua Fire Department for 32 years before he retired as the Assistant Chief in 2008. His main passion in life began as a young boy working side by side with his father on the family farm. He truly enjoyed and took great pride in being a farmer. Jeff continued to farm until 2022 when he passed the baton to the Ebberts family. He was a man that could repair or build anything, including the elevator he placed on the combine so that his father could continue to farm in his final years. He had an entrepreneur spirit and established multiple businesses throughout his life time. He was also a Pilot and Scuba Instructor and initiated the Piqua Fire Department Dive Team. His wife, children, friends, and coworkers can say that he was a gentle, soft spoken giant, an incredibly wise and well respected man. He will be deeply missed.

A private burial will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery where full military honors will be provided by the Veterans Elite Tribute Squad. A private service to honor his life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to The White Ribbon Project 9572 E. Lake Circle, Greenwood Village, CO 80111 (www.thewhiteribbonproject.org) or the American Legion Equipment Fund P.O. Box 301, Piqua, OH 45356. Guestbook condolences and expressions of sympathy, to be provided to the family, may be expressed through jamiesonandyannucci.com

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