Jeffrey Bliemel

Jeffrey Joe Bliemel, 78, of Deltaville, Virginia passed away with family by his side on November 16, 2022, after a brief illness. Jeff’s parents fled to the United States from Nazi Germany when Hitler rose to power. Jeff was born in Patterson, New Jersey and was raised in Syracuse, New York, where he graduated from Nottingham High School. Jeff earned his bachelor’s degree from Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York.

Upon college graduation, Jeff enlisted as an officer in the U.S. Air Force in November of 1965. He married Mary Lynn Tackett in November of 1966 and they lived many places in the United States and abroad. Jeff proudly served our country in the U.S. Air Force for over 23 years. He performed missions during the Vietnam War as a navigator and weapons officer. He especially loved flying in the F-111. Some of his postings included Vietnam, England, and the Pentagon, where he worked with intelligence and developing technology. His last posting was Langley Air Force Base in Newport News, Virginia. While there, he earned a master’s degree in engineering from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.

Upon retiring from the Air Force as Lieutenant Colonel, Jeff moved to Deltaville where he bought his cherished Broad Creek Marina. Jeff loved living on the water and making new friends in Deltaville. Jeff was a civil engineer for the engineering firms Smith Demer Normann and Bay Design Group prior to being the City Engineer for Poquoson for 10 years, when he finally retired.

Jeff was a community service leader and was formerly active on the boards of the Rappahannock Ruritan Club and the Laurel Shelter in Gloucester, Virginia. Jeff also loved volunteering annually for the Southside Sentinel’s Christmas Friends. Jeff was elected to the Soil and Water Conservation Board, the only non-paid elected office in Virginia. Jeff volunteerd for a multitude of charity events, especially those with the Deltaville Community Association.

Jeff’s ultimate goal was to live at his second home in Marathon, Florida. He loved the tropical weather and crystal blue waters of the Florida Keys and the friends he made there. He could make a superb margarita and key lime pie. He frequently invited family and friends to vacation with him.

Very much an intellectual, Jeff was a member of MENSA and enjoyed posting intellectual and inspirational quotes on Facebook. He also had a quick wit and loved humor and telling jokes. Thoughtful and kind, Jeff was a family man through and through and loved being with his family. He was the “go to” person for necessary errands, shuttling the grandchildren (and family dog) around, cooking for holidays, and doing any type of errand. He never missed an important school, sporting or social event relating to his grandchildren. He was absolutely essential in the Hurd household for helping the children with their math homework. Always seen with a big smile on his face, Jeff Bliemel loved life.

Jeff Bliemel is preceded in death by his parents, Josef and Lucy Bliemel. He is survived by his ex-wife, Mary Lynn Tackett of Irvington, Virginia, daughters Elizabeth Bliemel Hurd (Michael) of Deltaville, Virginia and Deborah Jeanne Tackett of Coconut Grove, Florida, and beloved grandchildren Madeline Taylor Hurd and Carter James Hurd. He is also survived by his cousin, who was more like a sister, Suzanne Handov McBride (Everett “Mick”) of Wilmington, North Carolina, and his best friend and college roommate, Larry Bandolin (Patti) of Belchertown, Massachusetts.

A memorial service is planned for 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at Philippi Christian Church in Deltaville, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Middlesex County Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 98, Deltaville, VA 23043.

Arrangements by Faulkner Funeral Homes, Bristow-Faulkner Chapel, Saluda