Jeffrey Alan Baecht

1962 - 2022

Jeffrey Alan Baecht
Grafton - Jeffrey Alan Baecht, 59, passed in his sleep during the early hours of January 9, 2022. He was born on October 22, 1962, in Alton, Illinois, the son of the late Edward Joseph Baecht and Enid Louise (Hayes) Baecht.
Jeff was raised in Grafton and graduated from Jersey Community High School in 1980. On April 28th, 1981, he married Cheryl Ann Summers. Jeff then served in the United States Air Force from 1981 to 1985 while located in Colorado, California, and then South Dakota. While serving in Colorado, they were blessed with a son. After serving his country for four years, the family of three returned locally and settled in Jerseyville, Illinois just before welcoming a daughter. Jeff held jobs at Norman Brothers, Inc. and the Wood River Dome before taking a job as a Crane Operator with Global Brass and Copper. He and Cheryl were married 34 years. He was later married to Cherri Meza, on July 20, 2019, making their home in Carrollton, Illinois together with her children. He retired from Global Brass and Copper in 2021 after over 27 years of service.
Jeff enjoyed playing football in high school. He still holds a J.C.H.S. Panthers record for the most tackles and assists in a single football game, an accomplishment of which he was very proud. He also played league softball during his service years and continued when he returned home with the "Bulldogs". In addition, he loved golfing and playing volleyball with his family. Loving the river, he was a fisherman, a duck hunter, and a boater, frequenting sandbars to socialize and enjoy an ice cold Keystone. Following in the footsteps of his father, he treasured the time spent with his beloved brothers gathering firewood together and frying fish at the yearly St. Patrick's Picnic. Jeff loved to take family vacations to snorkel and SCUBA dive or to ski on the mountains in Colorado. He gardened and made delicious salsa every year to share with his friends and family. Jeff was an avid reader and loved to watch sci-fi. By far, his biggest delight was spending time with his grandchildren, entertaining and teaching them while holding them close put a sparkle in his eye. Jeff was a member of the Elks Club in Jerseyville and the American Legion in Grafton. His welcoming personality and infectious smile made him a friend to everyone and he was always willing to lend help to anyone that needed it.
Surviving, in addition to his current wife, Cherri Baecht, and his first wife, Cheryl Summers, are his son Justin (Leah) Baecht, and grandchildren, Laina and Lukas of St. Jacob, IL; daughter Hannah (Drew) Maness and grandchildren Nora and Katy of Edwardsville, IL, and stepchildren, Sophia and Legend of Carrollton, IL; three brothers, Joe Baecht, Dirk (Kim) Baecht, Andrew (Michelle) Baecht, and one sister, Amy (Harold) Schutz; one step grandmother, JoAnn Laubscher; as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and in-laws. He was predeceased by his infant son, Zachary Alan Baecht, his parents, Ed and Louise, his sister, Lori (Baecht) Griffin, and his step grandfather, Harold Laubscher.
A celebration of life will be held at the American Legion in Grafton, Illinois on Saturday, January 22nd, beginning at 2pm. Donations may be made in his memory to the ALS Foundation or to the Grafton America Legion.