Jeff Ciolk, loving husband, son, brother, uncle, and co-worker, died unexpectedly in his sleep in the early morning on Tuesday, August 5, at the age of 54. Sociable and talkative, Jeff was a popular server at Flat River Grill for almost 18 years, with a career spanning over three decades in restaurants. He was a 1989 graduate of Grandville High School and a lifelong resident of the Grand Rapids area who loved his cats, great food, fast cars, and looking good.
Jeff is survived by his husband, John Folkertsma; his parents Stanley and Carol Ciolk; brothers, Dan (Jaci and Blair) and Adam; sister, Stacy Potter and her husband Matt (Lilly); numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; and John’s family members, including mother, Shirley and sisters, Jan Schichtel, Jaclyn Bromley, and Jill Forton.
A memorial service is being planned for September.
4 Responses
My Dear Jeff, I will miss you so much! You were the first neighbor to greet us on McCords and the only one who talked to us a for a long time!
You’re such a sweet soul and I wish you had longer time with us.
So sorry for this loss. Jeff was unique and a vital part of Flat River Grill. He will be missed and long remembered in our community.
Jeff was a good friend and colleague, I will miss his dry sense of humor and kindness. I loved him like a brother; his work family cared for him deeply. My condolences to everyone who loved him.
I’ve worked with Jeff for the past year, and in that year I have been so lucky to have known Jeff. He became a good friend, he always made me laugh with his, sassy remarks, always quoting something from Saturday Night Live “back in the day.”
He was comfort in a dark time in my life, going to work and seeing his presence and his smile enjoying his company took me away from that. He taught me how to take care and start my Garden full of hydrangea and foxgloves we talked alot about gardening.
Our last conversation I remember him stopping me in the parking lot, “Hi, honey!” With a big smile on his face.
I’m so honored, that in my life, I was able to have come a-crossed and become friends with a soul as sweet, funny, glamorous and impressionable as Jeff.