SMSgt (retired) Jeffrey Michael Leitschuh, 58, passed away due to complications from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease. He was diagnosed August 1, 2024. Jeff was born July 27, 1968 in Belleville, St. Clair County, IL & passed away August 19, 2026 at home near New Douglas, Madison County, IL with his wife & children around him. He married Joelle Prosser on May 22, 1987 in Staunton, Macoupin County, IL.
Jeff graduated from Staunton High School in 1986. On July 23, 1986, he enlisted into the U.S. Air Force where he proudly served for 26 years as a Munitions Systems Specialist (AMMO - 461x0/2W0X1). He retired as a Senior Master Sergeant on August 1, 2012. While in the Air Force he earned the following certifications: Associate in Applied Science for Instructor of Technology & Military Science in 1992, Associate in Munitions System Technology in 1994, & Bachelor of Environmental Studies with honors from the American Military University in 2011.
Jeff was known as "Shoe" or "Ammoshoe" during his time in the Air Force. He & his family feel very fortunate that they were able to be stationed around the world at the following bases:
Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan 1986 - 1989
Lowry AFB, Denver, Colorado 1989 - 1994
Osan AB, Osan, South Korea 1994 - 1995
Cannon AFB, Clovis, New Mexico 1995 - 1997
Misawa AB, Misawa, Japan 1997 - 2001
Aviano AB, Aviano, Italy 2001 - 2004
Andersen AFB, Yigo, Guam 2004 - 2007
Randolph AFB, San Antonio, Texas 2007 - 2009
Pearl Harbor-Hickam Joint Base, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii 2009 - 2012
Before retiring, he was hired by the U.S. Army at Scott AFB as a civilian from May 2012 to August 2025, when he was forced to retire due to ALS.
Jeff was an avid sportsman enjoying hunting, fishing, golfing, & softball. He was proud of his Scuba training. He became certified as an Open Water Diver in 1988, following with specialty courses in 1989 in Advanced Open Water, Night Diver, Deep Diver, Research Diver, Underwater Navigator, Rescue Diver, Padi First Aid Medic, & Master Scuba Diver. As a Master Scuba Diver, he was able to assist the classes that his kids attend to receive their certification. In 2005, he finally obtained Dive Master for Padi. Jeff took his last dive class in 2025, becoming a Computer Nitrox Diver for his last dive trip to Cozumel, Mexico with LifeWaters.
Those left to mourn are his wife - Joelle (Prosser) Leitschuh; his daughter & son-in-law - Rachel & Zach Leuenberger of Staunton, IL; his son & daughter-in-law - TSgt Aaron & Warisara Leitschuh of Goodfellow AFB, San Angelo, TX; his mother - Joyce (Pernicka) Leitschuh of Staunton, IL; his father - George Leitschuh of Modesto, IL; his grandmother - Maxine (Spudick) Leitschuh of Mt. Olive, IL; his brothers - Scott (Liz) Leitschuh of Troy, IL, Joe (Tonya) Leitschuh of Weldon, IL, & Bob (Nikol) Leitschuh of Litchfield, IL; his in-laws - Jerry & Debbie Prosser of Staunton, IL; his sisters-in-law - Jill (Chris) Gorenz of Alhambra, IL, & Jennifer Huber of Staunton, IL; his ever ready bird hunting house dog - Jasmin Colt; his grandcritters - Addelina & Bennett Leuenberger, & Liam, Finn, & Hazel Leitschuh; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, & cousins also survive.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents - Joe & Marge (Krechnyak) Pernicka & Joe Leitschuh; & his loving loyal dogs - Spunky, Remington Hunter, & Jack Browning.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 PM on Monday, August 24, 2026 at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton, IL.
The family is asking that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to one of the following:
ALS Caregivers LLC, PO Box 212, Waterloo, IL 62298
Paralyzed Veterans of St. Louis (Gateway), Gateway Chapter, 1311 Lindbergh Plaza Center, St. Louis, MO 63132
Team Gleason Foundation, A Resource for People with ALS, 1450 Poydras St., Suite 2550, New Orleans, LA 70112
IYAAYAS