Jon A. Story

April 7, 1946 - February 18, 2025

The Whittaker Inn

702 W 500 N

West Lafayette, IN 47906

765-314-1872 |

Friday 5/9, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Dr. Jon Story, 78, of West Lafayette, Indiana, joined his heavenly family on February 18, 2025. A committed follower of Jesus and a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, teacher, and mentor, Jon leaves a lasting legacy in every area of his life.

Born in Odebolt, Iowa, Jon was a proud “farmer’s kid” whose passion for science led him to earn his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Zoology from Iowa State University. Jon began his career at the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia where he was mentored by renowned nutrition expert Dr. David Kritchevsky, and in 1977 he joined the Purdue University Department of Food and Nutrition. His career at Purdue spanned nearly four decades, during which he held numerous leadership roles, including Associate Dean of the College of Consumer and Family Sciences and Senior Associate Dean of the Graduate School. He played a pivotal role in shaping Purdue’s interdisciplinary graduate education, founding the Office of Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs and helping establish Purdue’s Interdisciplinary Life Science Program (PULSe).

Jon’s groundbreaking research on cholesterol and dietary fiber influenced dietary recommendations and public health policies for decades. A dedicated teacher and mentor, he guided dozens of graduate students and influenced hundreds more in the classroom. This commitment to education earned him numerous accolades, including induction into Purdue’s Book of Great Teachers.

Beyond his professional achievements, Jon loved his family and being with them. Together with his beloved wife Margie, to whom he was married almost 56 years, he raised three children: Emilie (Todd) Cushing of Merrimac, MA; Julia Story of Somerville, MA; and Will (Ann) Story of Iowa City, IA. He was a loving brother to Jean Wruck of Urbandale, IA and a beloved grandfather to Ruth, Holly, Owen, and Eleanor. A nature and animal lover, over the years Jon loved spending time with the family’s six Corgis, caring for his gardens, and traveling and exploring nature with his family.

Jon’s contributions to science, education, and his community will last generations. His family and friends will miss him dearly but his legacy of kindness, integrity, and love of learning will live on through the people who cared about him.

A celebration of Jon’s life will be held on Friday, May 9, 2025, 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Whittaker Inn, 702 W. 500 N., West Lafayette, IN. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Lafayette Food Finders Food Bank or the Tippecanoe Arts Federation

Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc.

Aki Uchida

James Richard Meltesen

Dean Hauser

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The Whittaker Inn

702 W 500 N

West Lafayette, IN 47906

765-314-1872 | Map

Friday 5/9, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

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Jon made me feel welcome at Purdue from my interview to retirement from Purdue. We published together and critiqued science for many years. He pushed for an empathetic perspective. He still called me kid after all those years. His kindness and caring for his fellow man will be greatly missed.

Dr. Story was the Shoemaker Cooperative House university advisor in the 1980's. He dutifully attended weekly house meetings where his suggestions were greatly valued. I would like to thank his family for sharing him with the "Cobblers". May he rest in peace.

In memory of Jon A. Story, Aki Uchida lit a candle

Jon was a mensch and a scholar of the highest order a combination rarely found at Purdue. Love no Margie and family.

We were so saddened to hear of Jon's passing and extend our heartfelt sympathies to Margie and the Story family. We enjoyed Jon's visits to Iowa and the greenhouses each summer and appreciated his enthusiasm and support for all things "Odebolt"! May your faith sustain you and God's grace comfort you in your sorrow.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

We are so sorry to learn of Jon's passing. He was a good neighbor and contributed a significant amount over his academic career.

Jon was a great friend, and I will miss him dearly. I very much appreciated our regular visits at scientific meetings and when he and Margie came for family visits to Ames, IA where I live. Jon was an outstanding educator and mentor of students. What a great role model for others!

Heartfelt condolences to you all. I was on the same volunteer group as Jon, I enjoyed his quickness of thought, his incredibly well thought out and articulated questions that made me see different viewpoints, and just everything about the the wonderfully calm way he did all this. It was a true privilege to have known him, and I will miss working with him.

My deepest sympathy to Jon’s family. Sadly, I never got to know any of you. Gladly I got to know Jon. He was one of the older boys in our boys for each club that I really looked up to. Actually, I caught both his cattle and he were very good looking. I think we were both very pleased to reconnect last summer at the all school reunion. We both giggled as we referred to each other as “Doctor” and learned of one another to get to that Terminal degree. Never would we have imagined this back in the 60s. His words gave me a sense of quality, real quality. His dedication and devotion were very evident. May you all again soon fine peace, grace, and joy in your life.

I was sadden again with the loss of another classmate, Jon Story, he was a great guy, friend, and buddy with all his fellow classmates. The Class of 1964, has been hit very hard this past year with the loss of too many great classmates. It never gets any easier, when you hear of the passing of another fellow classmates. Our hearts and prayers go out to Jon’s family, as we will miss him at our class reunions.

Sending lots of love to Margie, Emi, Julie and Will. Jon was just so sweet and kind. Though I haven’t seen him in years, he will be missed. ❤️

In memory of Jon A. Story, Dean Hauser lit a candle

Jon and I were classmates from kindergarten through graduation when he went off to Iowa State and I to University of Iowa. He was nice enough to call us when he had a convention in San Diego and we met for lunch. He loved his family dearly. We will miss him at our class reunions. Bill and send our deepest sympathy to his family.

My world was a better place with Jon in it. My heart is crushed.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.