Jack W. Eiffert

Jack W. Eiffert passed Saturday, April 2, at the Veterans Home in Mt. Vernon, Mo., after a long courageous struggle with Alzheimer's.

He was born Feb. 19, 1921, in Sterling, Kan., to Urseal and Boyd Eiffert. Raised by a loving stepfather, Irvin Cleveland, he moved to California after high school to build aircraft for the war effort. He later enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and served as pilot. After the war he flew more than 20 missions to Japan, repatriating that country. He returned to Kansas and enrolled in college at KU where he received a degree in accounting in 1950. He also reenlisted in the newly formed U.S. Air Force where he continued to fly military aircraft at Richards-Gebaur Air Reserve Station in Kansas City, Mo.

In August of 1947 he married Marilee Dauberman and the two of them began a life adventure together that lasted until her death in 2002. Jack spent 33 years at Farm and Home Savings in Nevada, Mo., where he served as vice-president and chief pilot. Throughout his career he flew nearly every aircraft Beechcraft manufactured and later flew Falcon jets.

Upon his retirement he and Marilee moved to Springfield, Mo., to be near his grandchildren.

Survivors include a son, Stephen, and his wife, Renee; a daughter, Susan and partner, Sherry Walker; three grandchildren, Geoffrey, Guinevere, and Jennifer; and five great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Friday, April 8, at 11 a.m., followed by the service at noon, at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, 1947 East Seminole, Springfield, Mo.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Springfield Alzheimer's Association, 1630 West Elfindale, Springfield, Mo., 65807.