Jeffrey G. Ruehle, Jr.

Jeffrey G. Ruehle, Jr., age 38, of Sylvania, died February 17, 2020 at his home. He was born December 26, 1981 in Sylvania and graduated from Springfield High School in 2000. Jeff had an entrepreneurial spirit and operated Sundown Illuminations (when asked his favorite color, Jeff would say Sundown Orange), an architectural and landscape lighting business, as well as employment with several other local companies. He was a member of IBEW Local 8. Jeff was also skilled at buying what someone else might deem as worthless and selling it at a profit. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. The sport of hockey was one of his passions and Jeff was a longtime, hard-nosed hockey player most recently playing with Local 8. He loved to travel including at 16 years old saving his money to buy his own ticket to Durban, South Africa to spend the summer with his friend, Troy and his family. Jeff traveled to Haiti to help earthquake victims and to Panama City, Panama with his Dad and received contractor of year for North America and Canada. He has traveled to most of the 50 states including Hawaii and most recently spent the last two summers at Popular Point Camp Elk,  Lake Ontario. He enjoyed spending time with his Canadian families and fishing with Diana , Fred , Bob. Jeff also traveled to the Philippines to be the best man for his brother Coreys wedding (Corey is presently on deployment somewhere in the Indian Ocean serving his country in the United States Navy). He always had big dreams, a forgiving heart and was fervent about establishing and maintaining relationships. Jeff was always accommodating and generous and found his greatest joy in spending time with his three children. Left to cherish his memory are his beloved children, Riley, Raegan and Keegan; mother, Tammy (Randy) Smart; father, Jeff (Carolyn) Ruehle, Sr.; grandparents, Joe and Genny Ruehle, Joe and Rosemary Reed; brothers, Jake Ruehle, Joe (Beckie) Ruehle (and their children, Cooper, Carter, Olivia, Isaac and Louella), Corey (Clare) Ray (and their sons, Silas and Liam), and Nick Foti; dear friend, Diana Yadao; best friends, Tim and Barb, Asa (who helped Jeff through times thick or thin), Troy Botha of Durban, South Africa, Lee Johnson, Todd Togrul, Darrell, Shawn, Chewy, and too many others to name; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends; and his longtime canine companion, Bella. He was also preceded in death by grandparents, Sam and Dave Jacobs. Family and friends are invited to visit Monday, February 24, 2020 in the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Avenue (west of Corey Road) from 12:00pm until the time of service at 7:00 pm.  Committal will be private. The family would like to thank Jeff’s nurse, Carrie, and aide, Elijah, for their kind, compassionate care.  They would also like to thank the Sylvania Police and Fire Departments, they are the best in the country. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jeffrey Ruehle Scholarship Fund for the benefit of Jeffs children at any branch of 5/3 Bank. Please reference account ending in #8216.