John Meekes
March 3, 1927 ~ January 30, 2014
Johannes (John) Franciscus Meekes passed away, with his children by his side, on January 30, 2014 at the Creston Valley Hospital at the age of 86 years.
John was born on March 3, 1927 in Groenlo, the Netherlands, where he also received his education.
On March 27, 1951 he married Theodora (Dora) Zieverink in Groenlo and together in May of 1951 they immigrated to Rossland, BC. John and Dora were dairy farming in Rossland and Trail, and in 1967 they moved to Lister, where he continued to dairy farm until his retirement.
John was an active member of the Holy Cross Catholic Church parish, Knights of Columbus, Creston Animal Breeders and the Creston Valley Dairymen Association.
In his retirement, he enjoyed traveling to visit his children and friends and he continued to help his sons on the dairy farm until he moved into Crest View Care Village in 2004. John loved to play cards and dancing always gave him a great joy.
John is predeceased by his loving wife of 60 years, Dora; infant son Stephen and son-in-law Mark Sanders.
He will be dearly missed by his children Marie (Albert) Sommerfeld, Bernie (Sharon) Meekes, Bernadette (Gary) Doll, Paul (Debbie) Meekes, Frank Meekes, Mike (Jennifer) Meekes, Carol (Geoff) Donnelly, Patricia (Peter) Eigeard, Irene Sanders, Stephanie (Rob) Bjarnason and Connie; twenty grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Prayers were held on Monday, February 3, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at the Holy Cross Catholic Church and a Funeral Mass was held on Tuesday, February 4, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. with Father Tom Kakkaniyil Celebrant.
A Private Family Interment of Ashes followed the service at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Erickson, BC.
Friends and family wishing to make a memorial contribution in John’s name may do so to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of BC, 200 – 1212 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3V2 or the Epileptic Society of BC, 359 Columbia St, New Westminister, BC, V3L 1A6.