COLUMBUS
Jeffrey Weikert, 72, of Columbus, Indiana, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2025, at the Columbus Hospice Center following a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on July 22, 1953, to Bob and Eleanor Weikert. As a self-described tinkerer, his childhood was marked by ambitious engineering projects, much to his mother’s dismay, such as disassembling their washing machine with designs to turn it into a go-cart. He could also be found with his group of friends, The Wombats, playing softball or running riotously through their neighborhood.
Jeff met the love of his life, Maureen Houle, in high school and they were wed in 1978. They were happily married for 46 years.
Jeff’s professional journey was a testament to his grit and intellect. After working for a decade as an auto mechanic, he returned to school to earn his degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland, graduating in 1985. Following several years at Mack Truck, Jeff joined Cummins Inc. in 1990, moving with his family to Columbus.
He enjoyed a distinguished career at Cummins lasting 25 years. Starting as a test engineer in the combustion, performance, and emissions development test cells, he quickly moved into a leadership role in 1993/4 as the Mechanical Development Leader, and advanced again in 1997 to the Chief Engineer of the global B series engine. From 2000-02, he served as Team Project Leader for the European Engine Alliance, in England. From there, he became the program leader in 2004 for the 2007 MidRange products. In 2008 he was promoted to Vice President of MidRange Engineering. Subsequently, in 2012, Jeff moved to the Components Business Unit as Chief Technical Officer. He additionally served on several Cummins Joint Venture boards internationally. He retired from Cummins in 2015. Over his career, he was lucky enough to travel the world and form lasting friendships everywhere he went.
In retirement, Jeff found peace in his sanctuary, a custom garage where he rebuilt cars, including an Austin Healy Sprite for his wife Maureeen, The Muppet Bus, and his Saab Sonnet, among many others. He was a man who could fix anything, a skill only surpassed by his ability to throw a party.
He gave back to his community through his involvement with the Bartholomew County Historical Society.
Jeff was a devoted family man and is survived by his beloved wife, Maureen; his children, Tom and his wife Munmun and granddaughter Omera; Charlie and his wife Christina; and his sisters Kathy Weikert and Deb Noon.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 12:00 p.m. ~ 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 2, 2025, at Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home on Washington St.
Jeffrey will be laid to rest at Garland Brook Cemetery in Columbus, Indiana.
Arrangements by Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home.
Condolences and special memories may be shared with the Weikert family and a video tribute may be viewed at barkesweaverglick.com.
