Jacob Neiheisel, of Dowagiac

Published 9:36 am Monday, April 27, 2015

Oct. 17, 1965 — April 20, 2015

Jacob Neiheisel

Jacob F. “Jake” Neiheisel, 49, Dowagiac, Michigan, passed away at his home on Monday, April 20, 2015, from a massive heart attack. He was born on Oct. 17, 1965, in Kokomo, the son of Jack and Mary Ann (Hamlin) Neiheisel.

Jake was a 1984 graduate of Kokomo High School where he was the class president. He went on to graduate from Ball State University in 1988 with a business degree. He had been employed with Chrysler Corporation for several years. Jake had also been employed with JD Byrider in South Bend, along with being a business owner of a used car dealership in Mishawaka, Indiana. Since January, he had been coming home to work for his sister Lori at her store, Mac’s Market, to help with an expansion.

His specialty was breakfast and he loved handing out free samples to his customers. Often customers came in just to drink coffee and shoot the breeze with Jake. His sister Amy and best friend, brother David were doubly blessed because they got to laugh with him every day at work, making even more beautiful memories.

He was an avid fan of the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, and the Chicago Black Hawks. He was an excellent cook and enjoyed hosting breakfast for his neighbors at the lake on Sundays, where as “Mayor,” he officially declared it “Sunday Fun-Day.”

Jake’s home was on Dewey Lake where he had wonderful friends who were his second family. He and his friends loved to gather at BT’s and watch sports, have cook-off contests and congregate for family meals. We will never be able to repay his friends at the lake for all of the love, kindness and wonderful stories they have shared with our Jake.

Jake is survived by his mother, Mary Ann Neiheisel, Kokomo; sisters, Lisa (Mike) Fox, Kokomo, Lori Sawyer (and boyfriend Jamie Miles), Kokomo, Mary Pat (Glenn) Grise, Evergreen, CO, and Amy Neiheisel, Kokomo; brother, David Neiheisel (and girlfriend Stephanie Hulce); nieces and nephews, Jacob (Natalie) Fox, Joey Fox (and girlfriend Christian Lawhead), Katy Sawyer (and boyfriend Matt Duncan), Brooke Sawyer, Drew Sawyer, AJ Grise, Same Grise, Jackson Grise, Mara Hulce-Neiheisel, Jacob Ashburn, and Nicholas Ashburn; great niece, Sydney Rae Fox, along with his dog, Blue and cat, Baxter.

Jake was preceded in death by his father, Jack Neiheisel, and his grandparents. Jake made life fun for everyone he knew. He deeply cared about all of his friendships and would help anyone in need. He was the best son, brother, and uncle, and we are all struggling to say goodbye. But, our Dad had to be elated when Jake joined him in heaven! What a reunion that must have been! They both will be cheering for our Cubbies from the upper deck this year, and who knows-maybe it will be our year!

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 27, 2015, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 West Lincoln Road, Kokomo, with Pastor Dick Sanburn and Chuck Jansen officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jake’s memory to the Kokomo Rescue Mission or the Special Olympics. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.