Jeffrey Claude Gostisha

Jeff, the eldest of eight children, was born on July 27th, 1952, to parents Jean and Robert (Gus) Gostisha. His earliest childhood experiences included spending time with his grandma on her farm. He was deeply influenced by this relationship and carried stories and memories of this time with him into adulthood.

As he grew up, Jeff developed an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and became known for being a trivia buff. His perpetual love of learning started at UW Eau Claire, and then at UW Whitewater, where he was pursuing studies in Astronomy. Once he entered the work force he excelled in sales, thanks to his outgoing and sociable personality.

Jeff had many hobbies including drawing, reading, photography, travel, cooking, and building scale models of cars, airplanes, and ships.

The pastime that had the greatest impact on his life, however, was aviation.

Becoming a skydiver and getting his pilots license became a central part of Jeff's life. While flying planes for skydivers and completing over 1,000 jumps himself, he fulfilled a dream while also gaining a lasting community of friendship. Ever the extremist, the aviation world also introduced him to pyrotechnics and an even larger friend group and adrenaline rush. In addition to these many adulthood friendships made, he is known for maintaining strong lifelong friendships from the age of 4.

In his retirement years, Jeff continued to be involved in aviation by working at the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, fueling jets, but his favorite job was his most recent one as a school crossing guard. He derived such joy out of sharing in the kids' experiences and getting to know all of the local families.

Jeff had immense love for his 5 children and 9 grandchildren. Family was important to him and he stayed in touch with relatives from as close as Goodman, WI, to as far as Slovenia.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his 5 children - Joel Gostisha, Julie Gostisha, Amy (Samy Hamzeh) Gostisha, Erika Allen, and Robyn Salinas; as well as his 9 grandchildren, Graham, Elise, Hank, Bruce, Nora, Logan, Lilian, Mohammed, and Ana. He will also be forever remembered by his 7 siblings - Kathy (Andy) Minster, Bobby (Sheila) Gostisha, Mark (Kris) Gostisha, Barb (John) Heinen, Marty (Janet Reagles) Gostisha, Jenny Gostisha, and Lynn (Chris) Jeka; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.