John Wendell Piper, age 74, of Washington, Iowa, died Thursday, May 08, 2014, at the University of Iowa Hospital following a sudden illness.

Private family services will be held at a later date. The Jones & Eden Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to John Wendell's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com

John Wendell was born May 7, 1940, in Burlington, Iowa, the son of Everett and Beulah (Drinkall) Piper. He attended school in Wapello and Columbus Junction graduating from Columbus Junction High School in 1958. He was united in marriage to Mary Ann Shafer on December 27, 1964.

John Wendell lived all of his adult life in the Washington and Columbus Junction communities. He was a Quality Control Manager for Crane Valve in Washington and later worked as a Government Meat Inspector at IBP in Columbus Junction. He was a veteran of the United States Army serving honorably in Korea during peace time and later served in the Army Reserves for several years. John Wendell and Mary Ann traveled extensively in countries in southeast Asia for the past twenty years. John Wendell was a member of the American Legion, Masonic Lodge and Shriners. He enjoyed spending time on his computer and visiting with his friends.

John Wendell is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Piper of Washington, Iowa; daughter, Lisa Kay Piper of Afghanistan; and niece, Kim Hellige of Ottumwa, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Larry Piper.