VAN SON John van Son passed away peacefully with his family at his side on January 1st, 2008, at the Rocky Mountain House Care Centre. He will be greatly missed by his loving wife, Mary; children Tony (Linda) van Son, Audrey (Doug) Turner, Betty (Joe) Rondeau, Wilma (Gordon) Smiley, Kerry (Pierrie) van Son, Andrew (Tracy) van Son, Joanne (Greg) Bowerin; grandchildren Jennifer, Brendan and Curtis van Son, Corey (Karen), Ryan, Shaun, and Kyle Turner, Trevor and Shane (Afton) Skretting, Shari (Cam) Harrison, Kathleen and Brett Smiley, Michael and Stephen van Son, Justin and Shelby van Son, Kaylee, Ryan, and Katelynn Trowbridge, Nicole Davies and Brodie Bowerin as well as great-grand-daughter Cassidy Harrison. John also leaves his sisters Jo Brok and Riet (Johan) Brok and his brother Anton (Dini) van Son and their families as well as numerous in-laws. He was predeceased by his parents, Anton and Lamberta van Son, brothers Hub and Tiny. John was born Jan 7, 1927, in Drunen, Netherlands, the second of six children. He was raised in Holland during WWII. He worked as an interpreter and book-keeper during the Dutch-Indonesian War. John completed agricultural college in Holland, prior to marrying Corry van Roessel in 1955. Later that year they immigrated to Canada where they settled in Southern Alberta and raised their family of seven children. John worked on a variety of farms before saving enough money to buy an irrigation farm in Hays, Alberta, in 1963. He was a very hard working and successful farmer, raising hogs, beef cattle and cereal grains. John retired from farming in the spring of 1990 and moved to Rocky Mountain House. He married Mary Dubeau on October 2nd, 1993. They built a new home and enjoyed their retirement together. During this time John enjoyed spending time with his family and was especially fond of visits from his grandchildren. He also liked to relax at Miet Hot Springs. Education was extremely important to John and he was very proud of his children’s accomplishments. During the fall of 2007 he became ill with congestive heart failure and spent much of his time hospitalized. His family is very appreciative of the support and care he received at both Red Deer Regional Hospital and the Rocky Mountain House Health Care Centre. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Rocky Mountain House Health Care Centre. (5016 52 Ave. Rocky Mountain House, AB., T4T 1T2) Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes on Friday, January 4th, 2008, at 7:00 pm at St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church. (5200 53rd Ave., Rocky Mountain House, AB.) Funeral Mass will be held at St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church on Saturday, January 5th, 2008, at 1:00 pm. A luncheon will follow the service, in the lower level of the church. ROCKY AND SYLVAN LAKE FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORIUM, Your Golden Rule Funeral Homes, entrusted with the arrangements. 403-845-2626