Obituary of Fred M. Piper Jr.

Fred M. Piper, Jr., 85, longtime resident of Iowa City, passed away comfortably Wednesday, December 23, 2015, at home. A gathering for family and friends will be held from 4 pm to 6:30 pm Tuesday, December 29th. at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City, with a memorial service to begin at 6:30pm. Private family graveside service will take place at Oakhill Cemetery in Coralville. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Fred's memory. Online condolences can be sent to his family at www.gayandciha.com. Fred M. Piper Jr. was born June 14, 1930 in Melcher, Iowa; son of Fred and Ethel (Schley) Piper. On April 9, 1950, he married Ryta Shelton in Corydon, Iowa. He worked for the US Postal Service in the Iowa City for 30 years, retiring in 1985. Fred was a member of Hope Methodist Church in Iowa City and the Moose Lodge. His family includes his wife of 65 years, Ryta; daughter, Pam Hinkhouse (Glenn) of West Branch; sons, Steven Piper of Port Orchard, WA, Gary Piper (Paula) of Iowa City and Gregg Piper (Brenda) of Iowa City;6 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, sisters, Tootie Stepanek (Derold) of Cedar Rapids and Etta Cuppy of Davenport, Iowa; and brother, Mickey (Diane) Michel of Coral Gables, FL; as well as extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Walter. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City is caring for Fred's family and his services.