John Joseph Echer, 77, of Cambridge, passed away Saturday, June 14, 2014, at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames. John was born July 21, 1936, in Dunlap, Iowa to John Frank and Mary Avis (Gates) Echer. He graduated from Huxley High School in 1955, and was united in marriage to Phyllis Rench on December 31, 1959, in Missouri. John worked for the Iowa DOT in Road Design for 36 years, retiring in 1994. He was a member of Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cambridge and the VFW and had served 20 years on the Cambridge Fire Department as a Firefighter and First Responder. John enjoyed hunting and fishing. John is survived by his wife, Phyllis of Cambridge; his children, Rory (Makai) Echer of Huxley, Jerold "Mick" (Robin) Echer of Des Moines, and Brett (Tina) Echer of Des Moines; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Barbara Montegna. Graveside memorial services with military honors will be 11:00 AM Friday, June 20th, at the Cambridge Cemetery in Cambridge. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dorcas Society in Cambridge. Bacon Funeral Home in Nevada is handling arrangements.