Jarred Michael Zekoff

September 20, 1995 – March 27, 2026

Jarred Michael Zekoff, a man whose heart was as powerful as the engines he loved to maintain and master, passed away on March 27, 2026, at the age of 30. Jarred lived a life defined by a fierce, unshakable devotion to his family; he will forever be remembered and gravely missed.

Born on September 20, 1995, Jarred was a steadfast partner and soulmate to his wife, Jillian (nee VanDerHeyden). To his two young daughters, Eleanor Rene and Amelia Faith, he was—and will always be—their Hero. Jarred's love for his girls was his North Star; there was nothing he wouldn't do to ensure they felt safe, loved, and protected.

Jarred was a man of specific tastes and simple joys. He was fueled by black coffee—always by the pot—and was rarely seen without his signature "pocket candy" to share or enjoy. Jarred was a gifted drummer and firmly believed music made the world go round, providing the soundtrack to a life lived at full volume. A true enthusiast of anything with an engine, he spent his happiest leisure hours under a hood or behind the wheel. Whether it was cars, trucks, dirt bikes, or lawnmowers, he found joy in the mechanics of how things worked and the adrenaline of the ride, especially if it had a manual transmission. With coffee in hand, he was the first person his friends and family would turn to for help, a laugh, or a shared moment of grit and grease.

Jarred's legacy of strength and kindness lives on through his parents, Scott and Roxanne Zekoff; his siblings, Clarissa (Spencer) Stark and Jordan Zekoff; maternal grandmother, Audrey Allen, and maternal grandfather, Dennis (Nancy) Brewer. Jarred was loved as her own by his mother-in-law, Suzanne VanDerHeyden. He was a beloved brother-in-law to Paul (Natalie) VanDerHeyden and Anna (Evan) Foust, and the proudest of uncle to his niece, Penny (Jarred's precious "Pen Pen") VanDerHeyden. Beyond his immediate family, Jarred leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless friends who loved him fiercely.

Jarred was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Richard and Edna Zekoff, and father-in-law, Rene VanDerHeyden. Jarred was a cherished husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend whose absence leaves a void that can only be filled by the memories of his protective spirit and vibrant energy.

Service Information

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Jarred's life on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at Butala Funeral Home, 1405 DeKalb Ave, Sycamore, IL 60178.

Visitation: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Memorial Service: 2:00 PM
A Time Capsule of Love

To honor Jarred, the family is creating a Time Capsule of Love to cherish as time passes without Jarred's guiding presence. They invite you to bring a written memory, a photo, or a story of Jarred to the visitation to be placed in the capsule. These shared moments will serve as a lasting legacy, allowing all who loved Jarred to hold onto his spirit and his stories for years to come; precious tales told by those who loved him most.

Memorials

In lieu of flowers, memorials are gratefully accepted to support the future needs of his wife and daughters. Contributions can be made via GoFundMe https://gofund.me/c3401b03c or directly to the family.

To sign the online guest book or share a special memory- go to www.ButalaFuneralHomes.com