ELKHART -- Jeffrey L. Best, 57, of Crescent Street, died Tuesday (June 10, 2008) in Elkhart General Hospital.

He was born Nov. 9, 1950, in Garrett to Norman Sr. and Lois (Freeze) Best.

Mr. Best is survived by a son, Joel Best of Fort Benning, Ga.; two daughters, Jill (Jay) Madary of Glen Ellyn, Ill., and Jamye (Kerry) Fear of Argos; eight grandchildren; his fiancee, Vicki Tackett of Elkhart; his father of Indianapolis; and one brother, Norman Best Jr. of Indianapolis.

He was preceded in death by his mother.

Mr. Best was a 1968 graduate of Garrett High School and attended Indiana University. He was an engineer at Modineer Co., Niles, Mich., for five years and had worked at AM General, Mishawaka.

Mr. Best was a member of the IU Alumni Association and was an avid IU basketball and Chicago Bears fan. He loved gardening.

Cremation has taken place. Friends may call one hour prior to the 4 p.m. memorial service Monday at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. Pastor David Garty of Living Stone Christian Fellowship Church, Middlebury, will officiate.

Memorials may be given to the American Lung Association, 115 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204. Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to send online condolences.