Jeffrey L. Caton

Jeffery L. Caton, 74, lifelong resident of Elkhart County, Indiana, passed away in Big Sky, Montana on February 3, 2025. A devoted father and faithful Christian, he lived and loved life to its fullest and cared deeply about everyone in his orbit, human and animal alike.

Son of Nellie T. Caton Hoogenboom and Sheriff Woody L. Caton, Jeff was born June 7, 1950 in Goshen.

Jeff served in the US Navy. Jeff then became an electrician and opened Caton Electric. A member of the Masonic Temple and Scottish Rite, Jeff loved serving his community in a variety of ways including as a longtime director on the board of the Elkhart County Fairgrounds.  A passionate musician and lover of Rock n’ Roll, Jeff drummed in a number of bands throughout his life and served with the Methodist Life Center in Goshen, the Lake City Band, and numerous civic theatre groups. He also loved downhill skiing, time at the lake, motorcycles, sailing and traveling. Jeff spent his last years skiing, fly fishing, and exploring Montana alongside the company of his daughter, her husband, a niece and nephews.

He is survived by his daughter, Josie Caton, and her husband and his very good friend Doug McCabe of Big Sky, Montana;  Josie’s mother who compassionately cared for Jeff in his final months, Janice Caton of Goshen; a sister through foreign exchange and her husband and family, Camilla and Christer Broman and their children and families Nina (Bob) and Erik (Shana) all of Annapolis, and Baltimore Maryland; brothers through friendship Dave, Doug, and Cary Osborne of Elkhart; a sister through birth and her husband Susan and Wayne Sullivan of Texas, and her extensive extended family of Kansas, Michigan, and Indiana; siblings through marriage Evelyn Speares, Janice (Greg) Elliott, and Leonard A. Hoogenboom all of North and South Carolinas; and niece and nephews Joe Staigmiller, Ken (Carmen) Staigmiller, and Donna (Andrew) Bradey all of Montana.

On Saturday, June 7, there will be a graveside service at 10 am in Violet Cemetery in Goshen followed by a celebration of life at Ellwood’s in Elkhart from 1-4 pm. Friends and family wishing to join the celebration are asked to please RSVP to josie.c.mccabe@gmail.com.

The family is thankful for the team at Big Sky Medical Center who helped Jeff to pass peacefully and surrounded by love. Memorials may be made to Eagle Mount who helped Jeff enjoy skiing in his final years: eaglemount.org or mailed to 6901 Goldenstein Lane; Bozeman MT 59715