Jeffrey “Jeff” E. Stapleton

Jeff passed away at home on July 8, 2026 at age 69. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 15, 1956, to Austin and Rose Stapleton. He grew up in Menomonee Falls and graduated from Menomonee Falls East High School in 1974. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, Jeff set off on a six-month backpacking adventure through England, Wales, Scotland, France, Germany, and Spain. That experience sparked a lifelong appreciation for architecture, history, and different cultures—and set the stage for a life in which travel was never simply an occasional getaway, but something he deeply valued and intentionally made time for.

Jeff was fiercely loyal, dedicating more than three decades of his career to M.E. Dey. He joined the company in 1994 as a Customs Entry Writer after earning his Customs Broker license and later became a department manager. Jeff genuinely enjoyed the work he did and took pride in helping customers navigate the often-complicated world of import and export regulations. His knowledge, patience, and ability to make complex information easier to understand helped establish M.E. Dey’s Customs Compliance Division, which he went on to manage. He was highly respected by customers and coworkers and was valued not only for his expertise, but also as a trusted colleague and dear friend. Jeff retired in January 2025, proud of the career he had built and excited to have more time for travel, outdoor adventures, and the many interests he had long looked forward to enjoying.

An adventurer at heart, Jeff had a passion for spending time outdoors and exploring new places near and far. He loved fishing, hiking, camping, and cross-country skiing during Wisconsin winters. Each year, he carefully researched and planned one or two trips by Amtrak, traveling across the country to discover new states and national parks. His adventures also took him around the world, including China, Japan, Italy, Greece, and Morocco. Jeff connected easily with other travelers and would light up when sharing stories from his trips. He found joy not only in the destinations themselves, but also in the people he met, the cultures he experienced, and the memories he brought home.

Jeff will be deeply missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his siblings, Karen (Russ) Reith, Michael (Cheryl) Stapleton, Joanne (Al) Reuter, and Judy Stapleton (Don Ousley); his nephew and nieces, Tim (Jean) Reith, Jenny (Brian) Anthes, Brianna (Peter) Welch, Alanna Stapleton, and Christy (Mitch) Toda; and his many great-nephews and great-nieces.
Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Austin “Tag” and Rose Stapleton, and his brother, Patrick Stapleton.

A celebration of Jeff’s life will be held on August 8, 2026, at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin. Family and friends are invited to gather from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.  A luncheon will follow at the same location.

In lieu of flowers, Jeff’s family invites memorial donations to one of the charities that was especially meaningful to him:
Milwaukee PBS-https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/Give/
Alzheimer’s Association- https://www.alz.org/wi
Hunger Task Force- https://www.hungertaskforce.org/