Jeffrey Davis

Jeff L. Davis, 67, of Grinnell, died on Wednesday, February 22, 2017, peacefully in his sleep at his hom. A celebration of his life will be held 10:30 a.m., on Monday, February 27, 2017, at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell. Burial will be at Prairie View Cemetery in Gilman. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2017, from 12 noon until 5:00 p.m. His family will be present from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Smith Funeral Home. Memorials may be directed to the Jeffrey L. Davis Memorial Fund and sent in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with his family at www.smithfh.com. Jeff was born on June 30, 1949, to Don and Dorothy Thibadeau Davis in Belle Plaine, Iowa. The family moved to the Gilman area and he graduated SEMCO High School with the class of 1968. In September of that year, he enlisted in the United States Army. He proudly served during the Vietnam era. Jeff was honorably discharged in April of 1974. He returned to the Gilman area. On April 23, 1982, at the United Methodist Church in Gilman, he married the love of his life, Jan Osgood. The couple was blessed with two sons, Jeffrey and Terry. Jeff was a longtime employee of the Maytag Company, putting in 23 years, until his retirement when the Newton plant closed. In 2011, Jeff and Jan moved to Grinnell. Jeff was a trapper, raccoon, mink, muskrat or whatever he would catch. He would pheasant hunt with his brother when he'd visit and when fishing, Jeff was happy if he caught something! When Jeff was home, you could find him watching a western show. He enjoyed cooking and baking; his cherry pies were the best. His practical jokes will always be remembered. Jeff was excellent at striking up a conversation with strangers and by the end a friendship was made. Jeff is survived by his sons, Jeff (Beverly) Davis Jr. and Terry Davis, all of Grinnell; his mother, Dorothy Davis of Gilman; three grandchildren, Meredyth Davis, Kelsey Brafford and Tanner Davis; nine great grandchildren, Trinity, Jackson, Aubrey, Lydia, Willow, Michael, Machenzie, Brianna and Dillon; his siblings, Nancy Wilson of State Center, Michael (Alice) Davis of Saginaw, Michigan, Marsha (Ray) Haney of Ankeny, Sally (Dale) Gallentine of Gilman; a very dear foreign exchange student, Maria Inez Alves Ramos of San Paulo, Brazil and many nieces, nephews and his friends. He was preceded in death by his father and his wife, in 2014.