This memorial website was created in memory of our loved brother,son, cousin, uncle and friend Jeffrey Reeves. We will remember him forever. He lived a life full of passion for theater, gardens, dogs, morel mushrooms, fighting against injustice, all things Hoosier and travel. He loved the dramatic and often used facebook as his stage. For all that he brought to the many lives that he touched, in his own life, "behind the scenes" he struggled to find peace and happiness. Our hope is that he now has found that which eluded him in this life. A perfect peace.....
Please share a memory of Jeffrey, a photo, or just light a candle in his memory.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to Irvington Garden Club in Indianapolis may be given. Jeffrey was vice president of this club previously and loved gardening. Address: Irvington Garden Club, P.o. Box 19147, Indianapolis, IN 46219
Small graveside memorial service will be held on Friday, August 17 at Mt Gilead Cemetery, Bloomington, Indiana at 11:00 a.m. Postscript: the memorial service was beautiful and I am posting the video I took of it for those who could not attend.
Here is my phone video taken on August 17, 2018 at Mt Gilead Cemetery, Bloomington, Indiana
by Christina Rossetti
When I come to the end of the road And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom filled room Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little, but not for long And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love that once we shared Miss me, but let me go,
For this is a journey we all must take And each must go alone.
It's all part of the master play A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick at heart Go to the friends we know
Laugh at all the things we used to do
Miss me, but let me go.
Jeffrey Scott Reeves was born on April 19, 1961 in Bloomington, Indiana, the second child of Benjamin and Betty Reeves. His older sister Julie wasn't sure about having a baby brother but she figured out quickly that it was fun to play with him. Jeffrey had a younger brother Jerry with whom he shared toys and a bedroom for many years. Jeff loved to be outside, exploring Indiana, delving into the family history and making people laugh.
He was a talented actor and singer appearing in many, many shows. He was proud to be a member of Mensa with an IQ of 170 and posted a photo of himself with his Mensa card on Facebook!
Jeffrey played the clarinet and spent many hours in marching band competitions in high school. He graduated in the top 10 percent at Indiana State University with a Bachelors Degree in Geography.
He was our loved brother, son, cousin, uncle, nephew and friend. We will remember him forever.
He lived a life full of passion for theater, gardens, dogs, morel mushrooms, fighting against injustice, all things Hoosier and travel. He loved the dramatic and unconventional and often used Facebook as his stage.
His list of friends was long and he truly loved to spend time with friends. In the end, it was these wonderful friends who had added so much to his life that offered him the final honor of not giving up when worried about his welfare. The family appreciates this deeply.
For all that he brought to the many lives that he touched, in his own life, "behind the scenes" he struggled to find peace and happiness.
Our hope is that he now has found that which eluded him in this life.
A perfect peace.....
I met Jeff many years ago doing Cinderella at Civic Theater when it was at the Art Museum. We both had a love for Dolly Parton. So to introduce my self, I left a single yellow rose at his dressing station with a note that said "Why'd you come in here looking like that." I let him play detective for awhile before letting him know it was me. We bonded from that time on.
One time we went out to a bar - it might have been a leather bar. It was dark inside. As we walked inside, I remember that I just kept going while Jeff stopped. The doorman hit me on the shoulder with his flashlight. I did not know he wanted my ID. Jeff laughed at my ignorance. We stayed for awhile and danced. Jeff went to the bathroom. While he was in there a man came up to me to talk. Jeff came out and said what did he want. I told him that he said "that I could do better." Jeff said fuck him, let's go. It was the 'just the best' cause Jeff and I were always just friends.
The tables turned as we hung out more. We drove to Bloomington to go to bar in that area. As always we would get out on the floor and dance. Jeff took off his shirt. Everyone cleared the floor just to stare and watch him dance. Jeff was a fit man. This time - someone came out to the floor and told him that he had to put his shirt back on. Of course he did and we left.
We spent a lot of time together in the early 90's until I moved away. We stayed in touch over the years and would connect here and there. I would see him in Indy and we met up in Chicago. Our last real time together was at the Cher concert in 2014.
I just found out today that he had passed. It has weighed heavy on me and today hurts. I reached out a few times earlier in the year. We connected once on the phone and he said all was well. Other calls went with a return call.
I can hear his voice in my head saying "Jerry Wayne, I'm so proud of you and what you have done." I would say Jeff anyone can do it. This reminds me of our theater days when I told him that I wanted to be in the newspaper and win an acting award before I moved away. He said, "You can't say that and make it happen." I wasn't sure if it would, but it was a goal. When both happened - he too then said he was going to put it out there to see what happened. I know he was in the newspaper. Not sure if he won the award. We won the award for our time that we spent together. He helped me find myself as I was coming into my own and made me comfortable to be me. Although I have never been as comfortable with me own being as I during those times in Indy, I can relate to his need and want to change the world so that we can actually be ourselves without the fear of being hurt. My friend - you have always had a place in my heart and life. You are special to me today - just like yesterday. When others have left my life - you were there and we connected like time never passed. I will see you soon. We will have new stories to share and pick up where we left off. That is my hope for all that I have loved and passed before me. I can feel my father, grandmother, aunts and cousins all around me. I hope to feel you too. I will end this now as tears fall down my face and my love for you continues. It is with love I think of you and will miss you.
A favorite story that we always told about Jeff was the time when I coaxed Jeff into drinking some "pink stuff" which was actually dishwashing liquid! I had been feeding it to my dolls and when I offered him some he obliged and proceeded to vomit "bubbles". Yikes, the things older sisters can convince their brothers to do!
I have lots of fond memories of my nephew Jeff. I remember taking trips to Brown County Park for picnics and hiking. He liked to play jokes on his auntie and cousins. He liked to make artificial snow to entertain his neighbors. He always kept in touch with me. I will always remember his concern for me. My nephew, Jeff, will always have a special place in my heart.
