Jeffrey Lee Hanford

Jeffrey “Jeff” L. Hanford, age 70 of Oshkosh, passed away at his residence with his loved ones at his side on Monday, November 15, 2021. He was born to the late Henry and Helen (Rolph) Hanford.
Jeff was a people person who loved any opportunity to share in food and fellowship or any good story time. He loved a good ol’ Wisconsin fish fry and was affectionately known as “The Otter” when it came to the amount of fried fish he could consume. Second favorite meal was "hot" chili, but that meant temperature not spice, for those he convinced to make but was never like grandma's. He was an outdoorsman who loved to bow hunt often saying "Big buck go down", fishing year round, walk on nature trails with his fur companions "Pete Boy Pete" and "Cocoa" and sit around the campfire listening to classic country in the Northwoods. He looked forward to holidays especially chocolate cake for his birthday and a buffet of fixings for Christmas while hearing him say "Ho Ho is coming". Everyone he met could not help but embrace his contagious laugh and smile especially when he could pull off a prank on someone. He looked forward to the Rolph family cookouts during the Fourth of July. Jeff was known to “sing to his own tune”, he loved music, especially the oldies as he sat in his garage or driveway casting / tending to his fishing poles. He enjoyed watching his westerns, the Andy Griffith Show, and Green Acres. He was always up for a ride thru local parks or along Lake Winnebago. He looked forward to adventures with his dearest friends Richard Blechl, Eric Gayeske and Janice Nelson. People heard him say often "hey buddy, I like you, my momma raised me that way, and thank you" followed with a hug. When someone said he was nice he was often heard replying "I'm a cool guy". Jeff was a local regular patron of Two Brothers Restaurant, to the point they would say "sit where you like" most times. When Jeff got his cancer diagnosis he continued to live his life happy and with gratitude. He told many "I know you miss me, don't cry I watch over you".
Lastly but most powerful quote he said throughout his life "God made it that way" !
Jeff is survived by his cousins: Karen (Charles) Ruedinger, Frederick (Roxanne) Rolph, Kevin Rolph, Laura (Shaun) Murphy, and Tom Rolph; adopted family for over 30 years: Jodi Lee Scheffler, Karley (Austin) Hopfensperger, Camie Kilsdonk, Hannah Kilsdonk, Thomas Kilsdonk, John and Heather Scheffler. He is further survived by many other cousins and extended family.
In addition to his parents, Jeff was preceded in death by his grandparents: Frederick and Grace Rolph, and Louise and Amber Hanford.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church, 830 S. Westhaven Dr. with Fr. Tom Long officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of Mass. Interment will be held at Lake View Memorial Park.
Thank you to the staff of Independent Support Options LLC, Quality Home Care, and Aurora Hospice. Your care for Jeff has been deeply appreciated. Thank you to his neighbor, Neely Dubinski for going above and beyond finding cocoa the "houdini" dog, visiting for hours during hospital stays and hospice. Thank you to all those being prayer warriors giving spiritual comfort.