Jakob Andrew DeGroat

Jakob was born in Newton on August 4, 2002, to Dana and Lydia (Pedersen) DeGroat. He was a lifelong Sussex County resident who had a deep love for people and had a natural way of bringing laughter and smiles wherever he went. Jakob was known as the life of the party, he enjoyed making others laugh, telling jokes, and sharing in the happiness of those around him.

Jakob had many passions that brought him joy. He loved watching WWE, playing Xbox games, Hawaiian shirts and listening to music, often singing along with enthusiasm. Jakob would sometimes joke that one day he would appear on The Masked Singer.

Creative and hands-on, he enjoyed arts and crafts and loved helping friends and family build or fix things whenever he could. He took pride in being helpful and was always ready to lend a hand.

Jakob was actively involved in his church community and especially enjoyed participating in the church’s kids club. His faith and the friendships he formed through church meant a great deal to him. He also spent meaningful time with SCARC, Inc., where he took part in a day program and shared many happy moments with friends. Both communities brought Jakob a great deal of joy and connection throughout his life.

Along with his parents, Jakob is survived by his siblings, Samantha DeGroat, Luke DeGroat and his wife, Sam and Davin DeGroat; his nephew, Tristan DeGroat; his maternal grandmother, Louise R. Pedersen; his aunts and uncles, Randy DeGroat, Marla DeGroat, Lisa DeGroat, Ernie Pedersen and his wife, Kari and many loving cousins. Jakob is predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Sally and Oliver DeGroat and his uncle, Jeffrey DeGroat.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, and 1 PM at Baleville Congregational Christian Church, 6 Church Rd, Newton, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made out to SCARC, Inc., 11 US-206 100 2032, Augusta, NJ 07822. Condolences may be offered to the family below.