Jeffrey Jordan 3/20/1941 - 3/8/2024

From his Midwestern youth through his business career, his successes, mistakes, marriages, divorces, children and diverse families, his gains and losses, and his ever-active intelligence, Jeff was a constant explorer, participator, and activist politically, socially, and ideologically.

After 35 years as an industrial salesman specializing in packaging materials and equipment, Jeff moved to the City of Milwaukee following many years in the Fox River Valley. He yearned for the stimulation and possibilities of the urban environment. Following retirement, Jeff worked in various capacities (columnist, bookseller, museum guide and boat tour guide) and has generally performed public service.

While a member of Historic Milwaukee Inc, Jeff was the managing editor of the organization's quarterly, Echo.

Common Ground assigned him to sit on the communications committee as well as work in the Education Initiative.

Jeff became familiar with the Milwaukee County Transit System and learned about the challenges the system was facing. He joined the Transit Services Advisory Committee in 2012. As a sitting member, Jeff enjoyed engaging riders at bus stops to learn about their concerns and needs for transit so he could pass these thoughts to the committee.

Jeff worked as a discussion facilitator for the Zeidler Group, volunteered annually at the Great Hunger Booksale, and had recently volunteered as a tutor through Common Ground.

As a writer, Jeff followed through with his many ideas, usually first seeking clarity and possibilities through conversations with myriad friends inviting further perspectives. He was a natural community builder.

Theatre, lectures, books, museums, movies, memberships, meetings, old and new experiences fed him, even when various leg surgeries took him from his motorbike days to his bicycle days to his public transportation days.

Jeff kept cooking (literally & figuratively), writing, experiencing, producing, drawing, painting, volunteering, staying in touch with his family, his old and new friends and still had time to steadily build his skills on his harmonica. Jeff was a harmony builder in many ways, as willing to work beyond the scenes as to take the lectern.

Jeff leaves to mourn him his children and stepchildren: Brad Jordan, Todd Hobert, Sean Jordan, Mary Jo Moegenburg, Keli Cole Olin, Ryan Schmidt, Patrick Miller, Thomas Miller, and Stacy Peapenburg, as well as 14 grandchildren, his girlfriend Jeanne Kornkven, and many, many others.

Jeff did not want a funeral.

Memorials to Common Ground, 1034 East Ogden Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202 or

East Side Senior Services c/o Saint John's On The Lake,1840 N Prospect Avenue Box 216, Milwaukee, WI 53202

The world could use a lot more Jeffs. We know we were lucky in having ours.