Westfield City Council Vice President John Dippel died Saturday night at IU North Hospital. He lost his battle to cancer at the age of 75.
Dippel, a U.S. Army veteran and a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, was instrumental in Westfield becoming a city in 2008. He was a member of the Financial Committee and the Westfield Sport Commission, which helped with the planning and implementation of Grand Park.
“John Dippel’s dedication and contributions to his beloved city of Westfield will be challenging to chronicle,” Mayor Andy Cook said. “John leaves behind a legacy in Westfield that can’t be replaced.”
John J. Dippel, 75, died on Sept. 21, 2013 at IU North Hospital. Born on July 30, 1938 in Indianapolis, he was the son of Marinus “Joe” and Helen Dippel.
He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1956 and joined the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne serving two years. Subsequently, he worked for the Indiana Bell Yellow Pages/Ameritech Publishing for 33 years before retiring in 1994 as a general manager. He then started a second very successful career for more than 15 years in advertising promotions as an independent sales contractor for Winters & Associates.
His long desire to be a public servant serving the community of Westfield came to fruition in 2006. He was elected to the last Westfield Town Council serving as vice president and was a driving force for Westfield to not be annexed by the City of Carmel. For the first City Council of Westfield, he was elected to a four year term starting in 2008 and again in 2012. He was an active member of St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church and an avid golfer.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Marcyann; sons, Nick, Joe and Daniel; daughters, Maura Kautsky and Andrea Doran; 14 grandchildren; one great grandchild; sister, Mary Heisig; and a host of incredibly loving relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation is 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 26 at Saint Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 17104 Spring Mill Rd., with mass to follow. A memorial will be held at 1 p.m. at The Bridgewater Club.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Westfield Youth Assistance Program.
Arrangements entrusted to Bussell Family Funerals, Carmel.