Born November 27, 1960, in Portsmouth, Ohio, he was the son of Leland Brown and Mary (Sowards) Smith. He was a graduate of Mansfield Senior High School, Class of 1979. Jeff was a veteran of the US Marine Corps, honorably discharged as a Lance Corporal. He retired from Cleveland Cliffs-AK Steel where he was affectionately known as “everyone’s favorite crane operator”. Jeff was a member of United Steel Workers Union Local #169.
There were many ways to describe Jeff with ornery, compassionate, determined, generous, independent and reliable being just a few. He relished time spent in the company of his family, especially his grandchildren. Traveling to see his many family members brought many special memories. Hunting, camping and fishing were at the top of Jeff’s list of favorite activities—he loved being outdoors. He enjoyed gardening and his tomatoes were a sight to see. He led an adventurous culinary life, trying many different foods, and most enjoyed deep frying and smoking various meats.
Jeff is survived by his two sons, Michael Brown and Matthew (Marilynn) Brown; mother, Mary Smith; two grandchildren, Auden and Liela Brown; stepmother, Elaine Brown; four siblings, Valerie “LeAnn” (Jon) Haslar, Jeannie (Daryl) Zickefoose, Scott (Tina) Smith and Deana Smith; six half siblings, Tonya Kelly, Julee Webb, Brian, Jason, Travis and Ronald Brown; lifelong good friends, Tim Horner, Nate Burnell, Scott Wellington and Jim Johnson; former mother-in-law, Sylvia Johnson; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Leland Brown; stepfather, James Smith; and lifelong good friends, Brian Cassidy and Scott Corwin.
The family will receive friends from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at Wappner Funeral Directors-Ontario, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Road. The funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Friday at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Robert Kurtz officiating. He will be laid to rest in Little Washington Cemetery with military honors presented by the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail. Memorial contributions may be made to Mansfield Baptist Temple Building Fund, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Tunnels to Towers Foundation.
