SPARTA - Jeffrey Lynn Warthan, 69, of Sparta, died on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at his home, with his wife, daughter, son, and other family members at his bedside. He was born April 17, 1953, to Tim and Isabelle (Peck) Warthan, in Sparta.
He grew up, playing with his Tonka Trucks; building roads and bridges in the sand, and fishing with his dad. He graduated from Sparta High and from there, enlisted in the Marines; spending one tour in Vietnam.
Upon arriving home, he marred his neighborhood sweetheart, Debbie Slawson. Together they had a daughter, Shawna, and a son, Tim. They later divorced.
Jeff entered the Army Reserves and worked at E.C.S. Ft. McCoy. It was there, he met his Unit Clerk, Pat Jetty, who was also in the military, and married her on October 12, 1997. They had 25 years together. He was a a Master Sergeant in the 84th Military Intell at Fort Huachuca, AZ, outside of Sierra Vista; where he was responsible for more than $1.8 million dollars of equipment, and did not lose one piece of it. He retired from the Army Reserves and Ft. McCoy work on May 31, 2009.
Jeff did beautiful woodwork for many years. He had a window repair shop in Sparta, and was also a locksmith and scrapper. He enjoyed stamp collecting, then later coin collecting. He also enjoyed photography and bicycling. Jeff was truly one of a kind, and will be missed by so many.
Jeff is survived by his wife, Pat; daughter, Shawna; son, Tim; stepdaughter Krystal (Jamie) Gottfried; mother-in-law, Mary Ann Jetty; grandchildren, Noah Warthan, Kate Warthan, Aaron Brueggeman, and Helena and Todaka Gottfried; brother, Dennis (Rose) Warthan; sisters Bev Clark, Priscilla (Jeff) Hemmersbach; brother-in-law Clint Garves; sister-in-law, Fran Warthan;adopted sister, Holly Arnold; lots of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his sweet parents, Tim and Isabelle; brothers, Norm and Del Warthan; brother-in-law, Jim Clark; sister, Brenda Garves; sisters-in-law, Sharon Warthan, Kolinda D. Jetty; nephews; Bobby and Danny Warthan, Mike Clark; and niece Diana Arnold; father-in-law Edward M. Jetty, Jr.
A graveside service, with full Military Honors, provided by American Legion Post 100 and VFW Post 2112, Sparta, will be held at 10 am on Saturday, November 26, 2022 at Woodlawn Cemetery, Sparta, with Priscilla Hemmersbach officiating.
Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com.
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation
