Donald Wayne Jeffers

Donald Wayne Jeffers, 72, of Petersburg, MI, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on September 26, 1953, to Donald and Mary Jeffers, residing in Temperance, Michigan. He graduated from Bedford High School in 1972 and married his soulmate, Deborah (Coles) Jeffers, on October 6th of the same year. For 35 years, he was employed as a commercial driver of double and triples for United Parcel Service (UPS), achieving an impressive record of over three million miles without a single accident or traffic violation. Upon his retirement in August 2015, UPS invited him to return as an instructor to train new drivers; however, he graciously declined to fully enjoy life with his family on their cherished farm, affectionately known as the family compound.

Don lived a life characterized by gratitude, kindness, and an unwavering commitment to his beloved wife and family. As his granddaughter, Lexi, described him, he was the glue that held the family together. He was sometimes unapologetically honest and, at times, overly generous, always willing to help those in need. Hardworking and loving unconditionally, he left a lasting impact on everyone he met. Don inspired his children and grandchildren to embrace hard work and pursue their aspirations, fostering a sense of respect and independence within themselves. His encouragement aimed to instill values that he hoped would help them grow into compassionate and self-reliant individuals.

In his free time, Don enjoyed maintaining his property and tinkering with his various “treasures” in the barn, which included cars and tractors. When asked recently what his favorite car that he owned in his lifetime was, he shared that it was his red 1967 Pontiac GTO. Interestingly, this car was the reason Debbie, our mom, agreed to go on a date with him after they met at McDonald’s! To this day, they still enjoy dining at McDonald’s together—it turns out she was not a cheap date, given the 53+ years together!

Don had a passion for traveling and explored many destinations, including Mexico, Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic; Colorado; Gulf Shores, Alabama; Hawaii; Rhode Island; Las Vegas, Nevada; Cape Cod, Massachusetts; Upper Michigan; Indiana; Illinois; New Orleans, Louisiana; and numerous trips to various parts of Tennessee. He also cherished many memorable cruises. However, his most treasured moments were spent with family and friends, especially when hosting gatherings at the family compound.

Although the past few weeks have been challenging, we have shared some positive memories, such as spending 24/7 family time together, telling stories, and enjoying his unwavering sense of humor even in the most difficult situations. When nurses would ask him his name, he would respond with “Mr. Wonderful,” with his first name being Gracious! He humorously described his sister, Deb, as “an anchor in his ass” at one point. A person who liked to control everything, he gave God 24 hours to intervene after deciding to stop fighting, believing that his request would be granted; however, that wasn’t the case. Caleb, his grandson, pointed out that God was giving Papa extra time to account for the times he had used God’s name in vain, which indeed extended his time with us! Recently, I came across the saying, “Humans plan, God laughs,” which perfectly captures the experiences we have had with him over the past few weeks. We all hoped for more time with him, but it seems that wasn’t part of God’s plan.

Don, affectionately known as “Dad” or “Papa,” was truly Mr. Wonderful. He will be greatly missed by many and will always be remembered for his integrity, unwavering love for his family, quick wit, entertaining stories about Hermione, and the silly songs he sang that began with the line, “Drop your drawers in muddy waters.”

Don is survived by his wife of 53 years, children, and grandchildren: daughter Daphne (Jason), Carlie, and Lexi; son Wayne (Langley), Caleb, and Ethan; son Terry, Brianna, Owen, and Alyssa; daughter Mary (Chad), Kendal, and Chase. He will be dearly missed by his best friends who just happen to be his sisters and brothers-in-law, Debra and Mike Behan, Bonnie and James Binder, brother-in-law Dan Coles, and brother, John and April, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A private family gathering will be held at Toledo Memorial Park, followed by a celebration of life at the farm in Petersburg, MI, on a later date. In his memory, we encourage you to take a moment from your busy lives to reflect on your blessings, consider how you can help others, and take the time to thank God and love your family unconditionally.

Arrangements entrusted to Urbanski’s Bedford Funeral Chapel 8300 Lewis Ave. Temperance, MI. Online condolences may be shared at www.bedfordfuneralchapel.com .