Jeffrey L. Morgan, 73, of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, passed away on October 5, 2025, at Wabash General Hospital with family by his side.
Jeff was born Thursday, July 3, 1952, in Mt. Carmel, the third child of John A. and Hester Jane (Shepard) Morgan. He was a proud member of the Mt. Carmel High School Class of 1970. On September 1, 1972, he married the love of his life, Beverly K. Talley, at Parkview Christian Church. High school sweethearts, Jeff and Bev built a life together filled with love and family.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Jeff owned and operated M & S Oil Well Cementing with his brothers after their father’s passing. Through the many ups and downs of the oil industry, Jeff successfully ran the business, working the last 18 years alongside his son, Sean. M & S Oil Well Cementing operated for 76 years, employing countless friends and family members throughout the decades. During an oilfield downturn in 1999, Jeff and his brother John D. expanded operations to Gillette, Wyoming, where they worked in the methane industry until 2017. Jeff loved the oilfield and could recall, in detail, the wells he worked on across the tri-state area.
Outside of work, Jeff was a diehard Chicago Bears fan, an avid hunter, and a skilled trapper. His passion for deer hunting began with his father-in-law, Norm, and he proudly passed that tradition down to his sons, son-in-law and grandchildren. He especially cherished trips to Colorado in pursuit of elk, including bagging one in 1985 in Alamosa and later taking his father-in-law and sons on a memorable hunt in 2010. Each fall, hunting at Lick Prairie with family became a treasured tradition.
Jeff was also a devoted Mt. Carmel Aces fan. He rarely missed a school event-whether it was softball, volleyball, tennis, cheer, football, soccer or a school play. Above all, Jeff adored his grandchildren. Known affectionately as “Grampie” he was the one who always had a hug-or a cold Coke-waiting for them. Strong, quick-witted, loyal, and selfless, Jeff was the fixer of all things, the Go-to guy, and the rock of his family. Even after Bev’s passing, he continued to show unwavering strength for those he loved. Together, Jeff and Bev opened their home to many teenagers over the years, treating them as their own. He was the patriarch, always present, always giving, and always putting family first.
Family vacations were some of Jeff’s greatest joys. From countless Disney and beach trips to adventures throughout the western United States, he loved creating memories with those he loved most.
Jeff is survived by his children: Jenny (Eric) Meadows, Derek (Tia) Morgan, and Sean (Diana) Morgan; and his seven beloved grandchildren: Morgan, Madi, and Maddox Meadows; Clay and Kelsey Morgan; and Maverick and Eliza Morgan. He is also survived by his sister, Teri (Dale) Healy; sisters-in-law, Brenda Morgan and Gail Morgan; brother-in-law, Michael Talley; sister-in-law Deb (Steve) Winkler. Jeff’s close friends Dave & Alena Pettyjohn, Marcia Townsend, Randy Keepes, Greg Seaton, Rodney Loeffler, and Layne Long.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Hester Jane Morgan; his wife, Beverly K. Morgan; mother and father-in-law, Bonnie and Norman Talley and his brothers, John D. Morgan and Patric Morgan.
Jeff’s legacy is one of love, loyalty, and presence. He will be remembered as a strong man with a big heart-a devoted husband, father, Grampie, and friend-who was always there when you needed him.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Bev Morgan Foundation, which provides a scholarship for MCHS students. There is an account set-up at First National Bank of Allendale: Bev Morgan Scholarship Account
Envelopes will also be available at Short-Cunningham Funeral Home for donations or can be mailed into the funeral home.
Visitation will be held Sunday, October 12, 2025 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at Short-Cunningham Funeral Home.
Funeral Services will be Monday, October 13, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Short-Cunningham Funeral Home.
Burial will follow the service at Highland Memorial Cemetery.
Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com
Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve the Morgan family.
