JOHN R. WHIPPLE Indianola Private family services will be held for John Robert Whipple II, 65, who died Thursday, January 27, 2011 at home. John Robert Whipple II was born March 28, 1945 in Ottumwa, Iowa the son of John and Grace (Wellman) Whipple. He grew up on a farm in Southern Iowa and has loved agriculture ever since. He has devoted his life to supporting farmers and helping them as they care for their land and animals. After attending Iowa State University, John worked with a number of agribusinesses before opening his own business, Soil Services, Inc., in Albia. John was then hired by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and for more than 26 years has served the people of Iowa in a variety of roles. He last served Director of the Consumer Protection and Industry Services Division and was Acting Director of the Food Safety and Animal Health Division. In these roles he oversaw half of the Department's responsibilities and helped lead a wide variety of programs that range from agricultural promotion to consumer protection. Regardless of his job, his first priority was always his family. He is survived by his wife, Deborah; sons, Jeff and Paul; father, John Robert Whipple; sisters, Mary (John) Stone and Conni (Charles) Kimpston; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Grace. In lieu of flowers family requests memorials may be given to Bentonsport Improvement Association, c/o Sam Dinsmore, 21937 Walnut Street, Keosauqua, IA 52565.