This web site is dedicated to the memory of my nephew Jeff Schoenwetter. He was the second child of my sister Linda and her husband John. They were blessed with two sons, two men who were at one time little boys that God gave us as gifts of joy to our family.
Jeff, the little red-haired boy who became a man. As we watched him grow and take interest in future pursuits, those pursuits led him to a life of serving others. Because Jeff had a servant’s heart it was no surprise to the family that he would naturally grow up to serve others. Like all of us, Jeff was not perfect, like many of us our lives have pockmarks and scars, but those places do not and should not define a person’s life. Besides, we love our family members for who they are and what they may become, and we always believe in them, even with the same pockmarks and scars that we feature in our lives.
Jeff’s willingness to serve took the form of becoming a United States Marine, a place where Jeff excelled for 13 years with activations in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He spent a tour in Peru training South American Marines. He was activated for Rescue efforts in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, where his unit rescued over 500 people in five weeks.
Then he found himself in Iraq as a combatant in Operation Enduring Freedom. Here is where Jeff shared that “he was always touched by the Iraqi people’s gratefulness, for the sacrifice of the American Servicemen serving there.”
Jeff’s love of serving people continued with the fire department where he served with honor for 14 years. Serving as a firefighter/paramedic he was again meeting peoples dire needs. Jeff’s personal compassion, love insight to life and medical acumen assisted countless people. Jeff’s leadership, knowledge, decision making skills, and professionalism, made him the Marine, firefighter/paramedic that anyone would be proud to work with.
Jeff’s love for scuba diving led him to become an instructor, again, Jeff wanting his life to touch others. His attitude of excellence, and determination for excelling in every field that he experienced gave him the opportunity to train civilians and fellow firefighters. This attitude of excellence showed whether he was fighting fires – treating patients or helping to create the Honor Guard in which he proudly served at the Fire department. Jeff knew about dedication, he was a man on a mission, and that mission was to be accomplished with excellence and determination.
Jeff became the proud and loving father of another red headed boy, Jacob Bert Schoenwetter. Jacob became the love and attraction of his life. Jacob was the dive buddy, the fishing buddy, the hunting buddy, together enjoying the fullness of life. Where you saw Jeff, you saw Jacob, Jeff’s little red headed shadow. A proud doting father and a son’s hero, two peas in a pod – two “Bert’s”. The middle name came from his grandfather Bert Hilgeman. A proud father’s dreams come true, a mother’s joy, a brother’s best friend, a grandparent’s delight. Jeff, like us, not perfect, but loved and adored by his family.
His love for Christ and people during his extended battle with cancer was evident as he continued to reach out to others. It’s no secret that eminent death has a huge effect on people, but Jeff was not deterred believing he would survive the cancer battle he spoke to me about how to get involved with counseling. His pastor and church, his family and co-worker’s, even strangers were and are still touched by the courage that Jeff faced during his sickness and demise. Jeff’s life will live on through all of those who experienced life with him. What would Jeff say if he were here with us? Here are Jeff’s personal thoughts shared by his brother Jon. “When he first found out that he was sick, he knew that God was in charge, and that he had a plan for Jeff. If the cancer would somehow glorify God, then Jeff was willing to accept it in the hope that it would reach out to others.” Jeff with a servant’s heart was again thinking of others, even though he faced the brutal effects of cancer.
The caretakers at hospice said that at least 250 people came through Jeff’s room those few days he was under their care. When Jeff passed, I witnessed probably 30 or more people in the room and out the door as our family gathered around his hospital bed. A Marine that was in Iraq with him was holding his hand when he took his final breath. His transition from life on earth to eternal life with Jesus was sweet, peaceful, and truly holy to experience. The Bible that I had given him during his sickness was on his lap, I picked it up and read John 14 immediately after his last breath, encouraging any in the room to come to Christ if they had not done so, and then we prayed. His dear parents, family and friends were all with him when he went home to be with the Lord, the battle with cancer was over, no more pain, no more sickness, eternal life, now safe in the arms of Jesus!
The funeral was remarkable. At least 400 people attended the services and many more came through the church to pay respects to Jeff. There were fire engines from three different counties, as well as many different representatives from a range of emergency services. The Marines in their dress blues, the firefighters and a few police officers in their dress uniforms took turns standing guard at his casket changing guard at certain intervals. Jeff’s body lay in the casket, but Jeff was not there He was with Jesus.
In the end Jeff would want you to have the same comfort he had in death. That comfort came from a personal relationship with Christ. If Jeff had one last request, it would be that you knew for sure that if you were to die right now, that you are going to heaven. Would you please today repent of your sin, confess your sin and repent turning toward Jesus and His abundant mercy. Would you ask Him to be your Savior?
Jeff loved what His uncle Brad was doing in ministry, and because of that love, thoughtful family members have given gifts to help us in our efforts to reach out and serve others on Jeff’s behalf. The entire family has prayed and has been so supportive in seeing Jeff’s desire fulfilled to serve others.
This webpage is dedicated to Jeffery Bert Schoenwetter, His life is still serving others through others in and out of our family. Thank you, Jeff, by God’s grace many will be reached, and have already been reached because of your desire to serve others.
Brad Hilgeman,
Veteran of the United States Navy
This web page exists because of a gift from Jeff’s estate, and the support of family members. Counseling books and resources have been supplied because of his estate and others generosity. Would you consider a donation to keep this web page and counseling resources going on Jeff’s behalf? Just email me at bradannah@hotmail.com to share in this worthy cause. Blessings!