Jeffrey Joel Hiestand (Jeff, Jeffro, El Jefe) died on April 3, 2026, in Port Charlotte, Florida, at just 52 years old.

Born on January 7, 1974, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Jeff was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, by his devoted parents, Rodney Joel Hiestand and Susan Elaine Hiestand (Cokonougher), before returning to Florida more than 10 years ago. As a kid, he sure gave his parents a run for their money, but he loved them deeply and never stopped being proud to be their son. He grew into a hardworking, loving man, husband, and dad who appreciated the simple things in life.

Jeff was the kind of guy who is hard to put into words. He was always there for you. He cared deeply about the people he loved, but he was also a helping hand to anyone who needed it. He truly was the “shirt off his back” kind of person, but he did it in such a nonchalant way you might not even realize how giving he was. He was a truly good man - kind, purely good, selfless, sarcastic, funny, and there for anyone, no matter what.

Jeff was a family man to his core. He loved his kids, his parents, his sister, nieces, aunts, cousins, and friends, and more than anything he loved being with his people. He was truly Superdad. He chose his kids over and over again, no matter what, and the relationship we had with him as kids and adults will forever be the greatest blessing.

But probably what Jeff was best known for is his ability to make any moment in life so much more fun. He never took life too seriously and forever lived for today, even if it got him into trouble a time or two. Whether he was telling a funny story, a dirty joke, or making a sarcastic comment, Jeff knew how to lighten the mood and put a smile on your face.

He was incredibly talented in his work as an HVAC expert. He had rough hands from the job, a great beard that had gone a little salt and pepper, a “shark bite” scar, a wicked smile, and handsome dimples to go with his shit-eating grin. He could fix literally anything, was secretly much smarter than he let on, could tell car specs just by hearing one coming down the road, and could fix anything. He loved all kinds of food, was happiest listening to old music, spending a weekend on the water teaching his kids to ski or whipping them off a tube, camping at the racetrack, or spending an afternoon making his granddaughter laugh. He loved Miller High Life, beanie weenies, and that bright orange mustang he drove too fast. He would sing loudly and off-key, had a loud laugh when something on Facebook was dumb or funny and he was able to make life feel lighter just by being in it. He lived fully, raised hell, and lived it well.

Jeff is survived by his parents, Rodney Joel Hiestand and Susan Elaine Hiestand (Cokonougher); his sister, Brandi Lyons; his daughter, Shelby Kincer; his daughter, Breea (Sam) Painter; his son, Louie Hiestand; his granddaughter, Lakyn Painter; his nieces, Grace and Haley Lyons, and his ex-wife, Jenny Korte (He would get a kick out of this).

His family will carry on his life-well-lived nature, his terrible humor and jokes, his habit of driving a little too fast, and his love of music.

Jeff was the light of every party and the bad influence behind every good (or bad) decision you would remember forever. The void of his love, support, spirit of helping people, raising hell, and enjoying life will never be filled. He will forever be in our music, our memories, our terrible jokes, our boat days, at the track, in every pair of cargo shorts or obnoxiously patterned Hey Dudes, in the smell of a Marlboro or motor oil, and every silly Facebook reel.

Jeff died after a brain aneurysm. He walked himself into the ER while still talking, and a nurse later told us he even was making jokes despire the pain he as in. In one final act that was exactly who he was, he was able to be an organ donor. His donation gave life to 4 people and sight to 4 more, while his tendons and valves improved the lives of 75 others. Even in death, he was still showing up for people.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Cincinnati, Ohio, in September. More information is to come. For updates as details are finalized, please follow Shelby Kincer and Breea Painter on Facebook.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating toward Jeff’s end-of-life costs, as he was 52 and didn’t have an end of life plan in place. Any additional funds will go toward his son’s graduation and education next year as he pursues trade school as a Mechanic.

https://venmo.com/u/breeapainter

Dad, I hope heaven is full of crisp Mountain Dew, all the fatty foods you can handle, and fast cars with no speed limits.

“If I leave you, it doesn't mean I love you any less

Keep me in your heart for a while.”