Harry W Piffer III went to be with the lord on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, surrounded by family, following a long and courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Friday, November 1, 2024 at Overton Funeral Home with burial following in the Indianola I.O.O.F. Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, October 31, 2024 at the Funeral Home.

Harry was born to Helen J and Harry W Piffer Jr. on January 5, 1950. Harry grew up on the century old family farm north of Indianola., where he farmed until he was no longer able. Harry was united in marriage to Debra Sue Powell in 1971. To that union, one son was born. In 1980, he would find his forever soulmate, and would later be united in marriage to Judy Louise Waters. Together, Judy and Harry raised their three children. Judy took on the role of bonus mother to Harry's son, and Harry took on the role of father to Judy's two girls, legally adopting them.

At the age of 8, Harry began helping with chores. The animals varied throughout the years, but at some points during his childhood his job was to help his parents with everything outside such as feeding the animals and changing bedding. He would go on to show dairy cattle and steer in his years in 4-H and FFA at both the Warren County Fair and the Iowa State Fairs.

Harry graduated from Indianola High School Class of 1968 and also went onto graduate from Des Moines Area Community College in 1970 with a degree in Auto Mechanics. He worked for Hyland Camper from the time he graduated High School until he began his career at John Deere in Ankeny in January of 1974. He began his career as a Press Break Operator bending metal, and would work the Assembly Line, as a Punch Press Operator, and spend a significant amount of time as a Welder before moving into the position as a Maintenance Welder. He outlasted a two-year eight-month John Deere layoff beginning in 1983. Throughout the years he took on more advanced roles such as being trained to be on the Emergency Rescue Team and being a Union Steward. At retirement he was also the Skilled Trades Chairman, an Executive Board of Trustees Chairman, and a member of U.A.W. Local 450.

He didn't know what a break or vacation was. He went from one thing to the next from Friday to Monday. He was a self-proclaimed workaholic but also enjoyed his cat naps. If he wasn't at work, he was working on the farm, which he took over fully in 1989 when his mother passed away. He took a few breaks from work, all due to injury however, such as his spinal fusion, the time he cutoff his finger and had it surgically reattached, and of course the injury that retired him a few weeks early - shattering his leg, in 2015.  He enjoyed retirement for 3 years before being diagnosed with Colon cancer.  He began treatment immediately and eventually went into remission until 2021 when it metastasized.

His hobbies, and things he will be remembered for include: his laidback can-do attitude, his sense of humor, his knowledge of everything (especially cars), pestering his kids and grandkids, playing pranks, attending events of his grandkids, tinkering in his shop, doing projects for his kids and grandkids (especially building things), collecting tools, re-building cars, working on race cars with his son, Corey, and watching Corey race, planting and harvesting Corn and Soybeans. If his family needed to know something about anything, except cooking or changing diapers, he'd usually have an answer. Harry will also be remembered for spoiling their dogs, especially his sidekick Willis the Dorkie, who was his protector and for his unique way of saying Love You Too… "I Love to Pester you"

Harry is survived by his wife of 44 years, Judy; children Corey (Jen), Mellisa Sones (Monte), and Stacie Jones (Brian) all of Indianola; Grandchildren Emily Frauenholz (Sasha) of Iowa City, Amber Weiskircher (Cody) of Newton, Katie Sones of Iowa City, Nathan Jones, Kylie Piffer and Cayden Piffer of Indianola; brother Mark Piffer (Kay) of Indianola; Niece Jennifer Portwood (Bill) of Canton, GA, Nephew Michael Piffer (Lindsey) of Waukee, as well as many extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents Helen J and Harry W Piffer Jr.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mission Cancer + Blood, to be used to assist cancer patients.