Dr. Melissa "Missy" Piper

Dr. Melissa “Missy” Piper, 45, left this earthly life to be with her Holy Father on Wednesday, December 11, 2013. She passed peacefully in her home surrounded by family and loved ones. She is survived by her husband Joseph Klusacek, daughter Megan Hunter, son Matthew Hunter, step-daughter Allison Klusacek, step-son Adam Klusacek, father Victor S. Piper, Sr., mother Helen Piper, and her brother Victor S. Piper, Jr. Missy graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Piper trained at the National Institutes of Health and received her PhD from The Ohio State University. She was an NIH-funded, Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and was an Investigator in the Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute at the time of her death. Dr. Piper was internationally known for her work on regulation of the immune system. As a tribute to her leadership in this area, Dr. Piper and colleagues founded the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles. She was a brilliant researcher, a mentor, a leader and was committed to serving others. While her life was too short, she made a huge imprint in her scientific achievements, the generation of scientists she trained and the number of people that will benefit from her pioneering work. She will be missed by her family at The Ohio State University but her commitment to others will accelerate completion of the groundbreaking work she started to help others. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013 at 5:00pm. at ALL SAINTS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 6770 North High Street, Worthington, Ohio 43085. Services will also be held Wednesday, December 18, 2013 at 1:00pm. at Bethel Church, Bethel Church Road, Latrobe, Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Missy’s honor to establish a scholarship and fund for continuing research. Please make donations to: The James Cancer Hospital, listing “Melissa Piper Fund” in the memo line and send to: OSU Office of Development, 660 Ackerman Road, PO Box 183112, Columbus, OH 43218. Arrangements by the Rutherford Funeral Home at Powell, 450 W. Olentangy St., Powell, OH 43065 (614)-792-1471. Please visit www.rutherfordfuneralhomes.com to send condolences to Missy’s family.