Jeffrey Dean Maurer, 71, of Cissna Park passed away on Tuesday, December 30th, 2025 at Carle Foundation Hospital. Jeff was born on February 14th, 1954 in Jacksonville, IL, a son of Harry and Mildene (Roberts) Maurer. Jeff married Marilyn Anderson in Jacksonville on November 26th, 1976, and she survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Amanda (Ben) Henrichs of Onarga, Ashley (Chris) Nazarczuk of Gravette, AR, and Jennifer (Anthony) Videka of Cissna Park and one son, Jeffrey Maurer of Cissna Park. He adored his 19 grandchildren, Laken, Ava, Joah, Leif, Vana, Knox, Jersey, Abram, Bo, Job, Ezra, Ada, Moses, Lael, Mercy, Kylon, Aurora, Anyka, and Krew.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Steven Maurer, and one sister-in-law Peggy Maurer.
Jeff graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1972 and from Eastern Illinois University in 1976 with an art education degree. He started teaching art in Crescent City in 1976. While there, he made life-long friends and often told his family how much he loved his time there. He earned his administration and counseling degrees from Illinois State University and moved his family to Cissna Park in 1992 when he was hired as the high school principal. He served as the Cissna Park High School principal from 1992-2009 when he retired.
Jeff had a wide range of hobbies and interests. He was a great chef who made the best spaghetti and barbeque. He loved sitting on his porch, watching his purple martins, taking golf cart rides with Marilyn to talk to neighbors, and mowing around the lake. He loved to go into his basement and paint beautiful pictures that he gave to those he loved. He loved going to Colts games with his wife and son. Jeff was an avid fan of Cissna Park athletics and he hated missing even one game. His favorite moments included his grandkids. He loved going to their games, snuggling them, playing board games, teaching them how to paint and create, and watching old movies. He was so very proud of them and the people they were becoming. Jeff loved being at his home and often told his family that he didn’t want to leave because he had everything he needed right here.
Visitation will be held from 3:00-8:00 pm on Wednesday, January 7th at the Knapp Funeral Home in Cissna Park. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 8th at 11:00 am at Christian Bible Church in Cissna Park with Pastor Steve Hall officiating. Burial will follow in the Cissna Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Cissna Park Athletics (checks made to Cissna Park Schools), the Cissna Park Education Foundation, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Please share a memory of Jeff at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.
