Stephen Henry Jaekel's Obituary
Stephen H. Jaekel, age 81, passed away in Tallahassee, Florida after being diagnosed three and one-half weeks earlier in Frankfort, Michigan with pancreatic cancer. He had plans, dreams and ambitions beyond the time allotted to him and he is sorely missed.
Stephen is predeceased by his parents A.B. “Jake” and Julia “Madeleine” Jaekel, and his older brother, James “Jim” A. Jaekel.
He is survived by his sister, Julie B. Jaekel and her husband, John E. Wurtele, of Tallahassee, Fl. He leaves behind his ex-wife, Sharon Peters Jaekel with whom he maintained a friendship following their divorce as well as a wide array of relatives and friends in Michigan, Florida and elsewhere.
Stephen was born in Detroit, Michigan, and lived in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan until our family moved to Sarasota, Florida during his senior year in high school. He was a member of the Riverview High School swimming team, doing his best in butterfly and freestyle. He enjoyed sports and his love of the water led to life guarding at Siesta Beach and surfing. After attending Manatee Junior College (now known as State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota) he applied and was accepted at the University of Hawaii in engineering. He enjoyed his time there and had great stories to tell about living and going to school in Hawaii! After University, he obtained his Professional Engineer (P.E.) license and worked in engineering in Michigan and Florida. Ultimately, he owned an engineering business and liked being his own boss. He was adamant that as a P.E., public safety was foremost. He definitely had an engineer’s mind, figuring out how things should be done and then being dogmatic in completing the project.
Throughout his life, Stephen maintained our family’s property in Frankfort, Michigan spending summers there and developing the land into a beautiful spot for Michigan wildlife. The black bear and deer have a playground surrounded by forest and with the Betsie River running through it. No hunting allowed!
Stephen was curious and comfortable meeting strangers. He had friends from all walks of life. He liked genuine. He also enjoyed finding “a good deal” and had a reverence for things of substance created in the past that he could refurbish. He was unique. He once told me, “People will forget who you were within 3 months.” I don’t think so. He will be greatly missed.
At his request, Stephen wished to be cremated, and his ashes placed in a family niche at St. Boniface Church, Sarasota, Florida where he had served as an acolyte. A memorial celebration of Steve’s life will be held in the spring of 2026, when he would normally be heading from Florida to Michigan and when the bears come out of hibernation.
Please continue to visit the website for his celebration of life information.
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