Whitney, Jeffrey W.

Jeffrey W. Whitney, 60, passed away due to injuries he suffered in an automobile accident Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013.

Jeff was an electrical engineer and a certified master electrician. He specialized in electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic design for his employer of 11 years, Iowa Fluid Power/Electro Hydraulic Automation. He also served as the company safety manager. During his engineering career, he also had worked for the National Advanced Driving Simulator at the University of Iowa and as an international project commissioning engineer for a casting machine company. He enjoyed traveling widely, including more than thirty trips to China during those years.

Jeff served as the mayor of Martelle, Iowa, from 2004 through 2008. He was also a state appointed director of the Jones County Endowment Foundation, serving since its inception through the present. Assisting Jones County non-profit organizations gave him great satisfaction.

He received his collegiate education from Oklahoma State University and continued class work throughout his later career at the University of Iowa. He was also a graduate of the Iowa League of Municipalities Leadership Academy.

Jeff was active in Scouting, the lay leadership of both the Methodist and Episcopal churches and he sang in church choirs throughout his life. He loved cooking, was a Master Gardener often found working in his beloved yard or tackling the most difficult crossword and Sudoku puzzles he could find. He loved his work and his family and was diligent and talented at whatever the task at hand. He could often be found cheering his grandchildren on at school and sporting events or tutoring them in math and science at the kitchen table.

His wife of 18 years, Claudia will miss him beyond words. He is also survived by five sons, Jason, Jeremy, Joshua, Jacob and Joel of Tulsa, Okla.; and two stepdaughters, Heather McDougall of Crystal Lake, Ill. and Karen Hotz of Marion.

He has ten grandchildren including, D.J. and Dakota Hotz of Marion, and Kaitlyn and Holly McDougall of Crystal Lake, Ill. His parents, Justin and Zelma Whitney reside in Shelby, N.C. His father-in-law, Cass Hepker, resides in Cedar Rapids. His is also survived by two sisters, Julie (Doug) Bryan of Shelby, N.C. and Joanne Bayer of New Albany, Ind.; and a brother-in-law, Kurt (Julie) Hepker of Geneva, Ill. He will be greatly missed by his many nieces, nephews and cousins. His loyal canine companion, Nessa is bereft and misses her master, too.

Service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. A private visitation will be held for the family and close friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday. General visitation will be held one hour before the services. Interment will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery following the service.

Jeff was an ardent supporter of the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center where he was a frequent and faithful donor. Memorials to Jeff may be made directly to the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center or to any no-kill animal shelter in his name.

Online condolences may be expressed by visiting under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette Aug. 5, 2013.