Jeffrey Allen Foster

Jeffrey Allen Foster, 72, of Bedford, Indiana, passed away May 11, 2026. Born January 13, 1954, in Muncie, Indiana, Jeffrey lived a life shaped by steady work, openhanded generosity, and an honesty that made people feel safe in his presence. He was deeply beloved and cherished, and the example he set—quietly, consistently, and without pretense—will continue to inspire all who knew him.

Music arrived early and stayed for a lifetime. As a toddler, Jeffrey’s first stringed instrument was a ukulele, and in his younger years he banged away on an old Silvertone, one string short of a full set. At age 10, with formal guitar training and a shiny new set of strings, he began building what would become a remarkable musical arsenal—gradually adding bass, banjo, fiddle, mandola, and pedal steel. That devotion to craft reflected the hard-working spirit that defined him: always learning, always refining, always ready to give his best.

Jeffrey expanded his education at Indiana University through an individualized major program in Ethnomusicology, sponsored by Dr. Anthony Seeger (nephew of folk legend, Pete Seeger). His focus was the history and development of Flamenco—the indigenous music of the gypsies of southern Spain—known for its intricate and robust guitar stylings. He also studied Jazz Improvisation under Dr. David Baker, an experience he described as truly ear-opening.

Another meaningful area of study was Special Education under Dr. Barbara Wolf, which he found especially useful in his role as a Master Music Artist with Very Special Arts Indiana (VSAI), bringing art-related experiences to challenged populations throughout Indiana. In 1989, he received an Honors Grant from IU to travel to Croatia (then a republic of Yugoslavia) to research and document the use of art and music in Croatian special education programs. Through that trip and his VSAI sponsorship, Jeffrey was selected to be an Official Delegate of Yugoslavia at the First Annual International Very Special Arts Convention in Washington, DC. There, he performed with special kids at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and visited the White House, where he very briefly met President and Mrs. George H. W. Bush. As Jeffrey recalled, the First Lady was very gracious, and the President had an extremely firm handshake.

In the early 90s, Jeffrey brought his diligence and creative drive into audio production, beginning with his homespun CD, *Midnight in Zagreb*. During his California days, he engineered and produced four other CD projects, and since returning to Indiana he continued producing CD and demo projects—work marked by care, integrity, and a generous willingness to help others sound their absolute best. He was also one of the founders and the technical producer of the Brown County Hour, the most-downloaded radio program on WFHB Community Radio, broadcasting out of Bloomington.

During Jeff's lifetime, he lived in Bloomington at two different periods and was prominent on the music scene with various bands, both times, including: Foster, Utt, and Hayes Seaflight, The Farmers, Sam Collins , Stella and Jane, Firehouse Follies, Snakedoctor Foster Jones, Celtica, DryRed, and so many others.

Jeffrey is survived by his wife, Rhonda Foster; step-children, Jacob (Emily) Buckles and Kristen (Brandon) Durden; siblings, Max (Dee) Foster, Michael (Shirley) Foster, and Susan (Frank) Setash; and grandchildren, Dametrius Carson, Cecilia Carson, Cora Buckles, and Louanna Buckles.

Jeffery grew up in Cowan Christian church in Cowan Indiana, was a member of New Life community church in Nashville and these past three years was a regular attendee of Westside community Church in Columbus, Indiana.

Visitation will be held at Bond-Mitchell Funeral Home, 1682 State Road 135 N, Nashville, Indiana 47448, on May 15, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and again on May 16, 2026, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. The Funeral Service will be held at Bond-Mitchell Funeral Home on May 16, 2026, at 11:00 am with Pastor Robert Vester of Westside Community Church leading services.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Hospice of South-Central Indiana, 2626 17th St, Columbus, Indiana 47201, US, or by visiting https://www.ourhospice.org/lightupalife/.