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John David HEPPELL

September 3, 2006

John David went peacefully home to be with the Lord he loved and served September 3, 2006. He was born in 1938 and grew up on the Heppell Farm in Cloverdale on 184th St. which his grandfather and father had built in 1919. He graduated from Lord Tweedsmuir where his love of sports dominated his school days and he was honored as Best Boy Athlete for Grades 11 and 12. Dave met and fell in love with Maxine Hanson (of Ladner) and married her in 1961. They moved to the old farmhouse where they raised their six children. He spent 33 years farming with his brother Ron as they built and expanded Heppell Brothers Farms. He loved farming their crops and walking his poultry barns and was prominent in both industries. Above all he loved his relationships with neighbors, fellow farmers, church friends and anyone he had the opportunity of meeting. Dave fought a long hard two year battle with pancreatic cancer. His faith and courage was a beacon of love and hope to all who knew him.

Dave passed away at home with his precious wife of 45 years and all of their children at his side. He was a wonderful husband, dad and grandfather to his 24 grandchildren and will be so deeply missed. He was our father, our friend, our business advisor and spiritual leader. All of us children can say from our hearts that we "rise up and call him blessed".

Dave is survived by his wife Maxine, son Mike (Karen), grandchildren Jeff, Sherri, Kevin, Julie and Mark; daughter Shelly (Allan) Cross, grandchildren David, Steve, Michelle and Sophie; son Steve (Sherry), grandchildren Katelyn, Carsonk Avery and Maxwell; daughter Marilyn (Graham) Gerth, grandchildren Thomas, Michael, Alexic, Spencer and Calbe; son Shawn (Denise), grandchildren Katia and Jordan; daughter Karen (Mark) Ens, grandchildren Taylor, Carter, Victoria and Chanel. Dave is also survived by his three brothers Ron (Sandra), Gordon and Jack (Jeanette); his brothers-in-law Steve (MaryLou) Hanson, Ken (Jane) Hanson, Morris (Diane) Hanson; and sister-in-law Julia (Ken) Robertson; and 23 wonderful nieces and nephews whom he loved so much.

Our deep thanks to all our faithful family and friends who have prayed us through our journey of trial. God has been faithful and we thank Him for every day He gave us. Our thanks also to Dr. Paul Klimo, our oncologist for his gift of hope and encouragement, Dr. Steve Hansen for his standing with us, and the many doctors and nurses who were so kind at Lions Gate Chemotherapy Clinic, VGH, Langley Memorial, Mexico and Germany, and our BC Bio and Homecare nurses.

Funeral services will be held at Cloverdale Baptist Church, 18685 - 64th Ave., Surrey, on Monday, September 11 at 10:30 am.

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