Jeffrey Douglas Pressley

Jeffrey Douglas Pressley age 67, unexpectedly passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

He is survived by his sister, Sherry (Timothy Driscoll) Pressley; brother, John Pressley; nieces, Bridget (Frank) Farkas, Danielle (Ryan) Andreas and Amanda Micu; nephew and Godson, Zachery Shinkle; nephew, Joseph Micu; great-nieces, Allyson Farkas, Emily Farkas, Kenedi Andreas; great-nephew, Reid Andreas; numerous cousins, and many, many dear friends that he collected on his journey in life.

Preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Betty; sister, Sandy McCain; grandparents; aunts, Kat Bailey and Jean White and uncle, Kenneth 'Pete' Minton.

Jeff was born in Hammond, IN on June 17, 1958 to the late Jack and Betty Pressley and was a 1977 graduate of Donald E. Gavit High School. 

For 30 years, Jeff spent his entire working career in the restaurant business from dishwasher to line cook to head chef to general manager. He got his start at Red Lobster in Munster, IN and went on to manage and head the openings of Red Lobster and Olive Garden restaurants all over the country. From there he went on to manage Applebee's, Panera Bread Company, Bravo Cucina, Trocadero Gastrobar and Charcoal Grill & Rotisserie restaurants from Schererville, IN to the Milwaukee, WI area. When it was time to slow down a bit due to his body telling him to, he took a position as the Food Service Director in Mukwonago, WI at Perlman Retreat Center-Beber Camp. Having never married and having no children, he was a bit reluctant to take the position of feeding the children. However, Beber Camp became his favorite place to be. He loved the friendships made with his coworkers and loved serving and creating memories for the children every camp season. 

Jeff was larger than life and made lifelong friends wherever he went. His ability to talk about EVERYTHING made him very interesting to chat with. He loved old TV shows, going to the movie theater (having to sit with an empty seat on each side of him as if he was with the iconic film critics, Siskel and Ebert from the Chicago Tribune), and watching and attending sporting events. He was an avid Chicago Bears Fan and a Green Bay Packers fan often wearing his leather Chicago Bears coat in Wisconsin and his leather Green Bay Packers coat when visiting family and friends in Indiana, always sparking a great conversation with his friends. He also loved his 'Cubbies'. Jeff was VERY competitive. Whether he was playing basketball, racquetball, backgammon, poker, rummy or gaming, he would always say "One more game!"  Jeff also loved to travel, especially to Mexico.

Jeff was kind, thoughtful and always supporting his family and friends. 

He was a loving son, brother, uncle and friend to many and will truly be missed by all whose lives he touched.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2026 beginning at 5:00pm followed by a Memorial Service at 7:00pm with Pastor Rebecca Sundquist officiating at Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8941 Kleinman Road (one block south of Ridge Road) Highland, IN.

Please feel free to attend wearing your favorite sports apparel. Jeff would love that!

For further information, please contact Hillside Funeral Home, Konnie Kuiper - Michael Kuiper-Vass by calling 219-838-0800 or visiting us at www.hillsidefhcares.com

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