Born: August 12, 1966 - Deceased: September 17, 2026
Jeffrey Scott Gulans, 60, of Belleville, IL, born Friday, August 12, 1966, in Demoines, IA, passed away Thursday, September 17, 2026 at Memorial Hospital West in Belleville, IL.
Jeffrey worked in IT management for Charter Communications and formerly worked for Anheuser Busch. He loved to create music. His favorite things to do were to lounge around with his daughter Ericka and play cards with his son Rick.
He was preceded in death by his:
- Parents: Leon and Delores, nee Glenn, Gulans
- Brother: Leon Gulans Jr.
- Sister: Christina Gulans.
Surviving are his:
- Husband: Ricky Dunsmore of Belleville, IL
- Children:
- Rick (Enid) Dunsmore of Lakewood, CA
- Ericka Dunsmore (Roberto Equihua) of Baltimore, MD
- Sisters:
- Deborah Gulans of Carlisle, IA
- Theresa Gulans of Carlisle, IA
- Natalie (Brian) Schlichte of Carlisle, IA
- Michelle (Jason) Turner of Des Moines, IA
Memorials: Memorials may be made to donors choice.
Services: Private family internment.
2 Comments
Rick, I am so sorry to hear about Jeff. Prayers and thoughts sending you strength. Jeff was a kind and gentle soul and will be missed terribly. Love Curt and Chad Godier.
Remembering my Uncle Jeff. ❤️
Calling him my uncle never quite felt like enough. In so many ways, he was more like a brother to me. My mom had me when she was only 18, and she and Jeff were just a year apart—so growing up, the age difference between my mom, my uncle, and me made our relationship something really special.
Uncle Jeff was my godfather, but he was so much more than that. He was one of those rare people who was simply good. A man of peace, laughter, happiness, kindness, and genuine love. A true gentleman with a heart that made people feel safe, welcomed, and loved.
Even after he moved from Iowa to Illinois in his late 20s, he never stopped being a part of the important moments in my life. Distance never changed the place he held in my heart.
I’ll always remember the time my mom, my brother, and I lived with him while I was in middle school. Those memories are part of the foundation of who I am today. They’re the kind of memories that become even more precious as the years go by.
Uncle Jeff was there for so many of life’s important moments, and I’m incredibly grateful that I got to have him in my life.
He left this world at only 60 years old after suffering a grand mal seizure that caused a massive heart attack. Sixty feels far too young. There should have been so many more years, more laughter, more family memories, and more moments with the people who loved him.
But I don’t want to remember Jeff only for how we lost him. I want to remember how he lived.
With kindness.
With laughter.
With peace.
With love.
With genuine goodness.
I hope he knew just how much he meant to me and how deeply he was loved.
I’ll carry the memories, the laughter, and the love with me always.
Until we meet again, Uncle Jeff. ❤️
My uncle. My godfather. My almost-brother.
Forever a part of me. 🕊️