Jeffrey P. Faris

Jeffrey P. Faris entered his eternal life at peace and so beautifully on Friday, May 12, 2023 surrounded by family at home. He was a strong person who suffered years with dignity, battling many medical conditions, overcoming prostate cancer, followed by idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Finally, he is able to enjoy himself on his terms. Jeff will continue to be our guardian angel as he has been, especially over the last year and a half. He is already missed dearly, along with his jolly laugh, long conversations and infectious smile. His wife, Anne, has lost her best friend and soulmate of over 50 years. He was an ever-giving father to their children, Elizabeth, Alison, and Jennifer; an inspirational father-in-law to Steven, Parker and Nathan; an adoring and dedicated Gramps to their grandchildren, Grace, Jonah, Josephine, and Sophia. Loyal to family and friends, Jeff kept relationships his whole life. He meant so much to so many. April 20, 1954 was a very special day when Myron and Bernice Faris celebrated the birth of their third child, Jeffrey Paul, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He grew up in a loving household with his sister, Sue, and brothers, Gene and Paul. Jeff attended Catholic grade school, Goodrich High School and Moraine Park Technical College studying business, sales and marketing. A lifelong Wisconsinite, he loved to reminisce and share his stories of growing up in Fond du Lac. Jeff’s entrepreneurial spirit and value of hard work started at a young age as a paper boy. Years later he especially loved working alongside his dad at the Fond du Lac Reporter. In 1975, Jeff managed the clothing store, Just Pants, where he met the love of his life, Anne (Meiklejohn). He worked in sales at the Post Crescent newspaper in Appleton. While there, Jeff’s unofficial claim-to-fame was modeling as the Young Man in Motion. Continuing his career as a sales manager at MacGregor Sporting Goods, he learned the industrial sewing industry. Jeff and Anne started United Manufacturers, an industrial sewing business, in 1987. Jeff considered work his second home. He was extremely devoted and committed, leaving the house before sunrise while prioritizing time for his family. One of his favorite pastimes was enjoying a bowl of fresh popcorn after a long day of work. This led to the birth of Faris Gourmet Popcorn after Jenny asked her parents to help with a school project. As a successful and humble entrepreneur, both companies flourished with Jeff receiving many business awards and accolades over the years. Proud of where he came from, he always loved to give back. He was a community advocate and generously donated to many organizations. Jeff loved all things music, especially classical music and reminiscing about his times seeing The Beatles and Elvis. “MacGyver-ing” things was one of his specialties as well as playing pranks and joking around, particularly with his brother and best friend, Gene. He loved spending time with his lake family. His happiest times were with his family at home, and discussing new business ventures with his girls, constantly urging them to try new things. We are appreciative and grateful to the many doctors, nurses, care teams, friends and family who have supported Jeff over the years. We extend our deepest gratitude to the SSM Hospice team who helped make his final year as comfortable as possible. A special thank you to all of his dedicated team members at United Manufacturers and Faris Gourmet Popcorn who have become family. His days were brightened by everyone who touched his life. Jeff is preceded in death by his parents, Myron and Bea Faris; father-in-law, Tom Meiklejohn Jr.; and grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Jeff is survived by his wife, Anne; daughters, Elizabeth (Steven) Oved, Alison (Parker) Helleberg, and Jennifer (Nathan Sharpless) Faris; grandchildren, Grace, Jonah, Josephine, Sophia; siblings, Sue (David) Wiza, Gene (Kerry) Faris and Paul Faris; mother-in-law, Gloria Meiklejohn; sister-in-law, Dawn Meiklejohn; brother-in-law Tom Meiklejohn III; nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family and friends. Service: A visitation will be held on Friday, May 19th from 11:00am-1:00pm at Holy Family Catholic Church (271 4th St Way, Fond du Lac, WI) immediately followed by a funeral mass at 1:00pm. A private inurnment with family will take place after. Memorials can be made in Jeff’s honor to the Fondy Food Pantry’s Food For Thought Program or the Salvation Army of Fond du Lac’s Brown Bag Lunch Program. God and our Lord are with Jeff forever.

Jeffrey P. Faris

April 20, 1954 - May 12, 2023