HEPPELL, John David went peacefully to be with the Lord he loved and served September, 3, 2006. He was born October 7, 1938 and grew up on the Heppell Farm in Cloverdale on 184th Street which his grandfather and father 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 grade 11 and 12. Dave met and fell in love with Maxine Hanson (of Ladner) and married her in 1961. They moved to the old farm house 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 2 year battle with pancreatic cancer. His faith and courage was a beacon of love and hope to all who knew him. He passed away at home with his precious wife of 45 years and all their children at his side. Dave 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. And all of us children can say from our hearts that we "rise up and call him blessed". He is survived by his wife Maxine, son Mike (Karen), grandchildren Jeff, Sherri, Kevin, Julie and Mark, daughter Shelly Cross (Allan) grand children David, Steven, Michelle and Sophie, son Steve (Sherry) grandchildren Katelyn, Carson, Avery and Maxwell, daughter Marilyn Gerth (Graham) grandchildren Thomas, Michael, Alexis, Spencer and Caleb, son Shawn (Denise) grandchildren Katia and Jordan, daughter Karen Ens (Mark) grandchildren Taylor, Carter, Victoria and Chanel. Dave is also survived by his 3 brothers Ron (Sandra), Gordon and Jack (Jeanette), his brother in laws Steve (MaryLou) Hanson, Ken (Jane) Hanson, Morris (Diane) Hanson, and sister in law Julia (Ken) Robertson and 23 wonderful nieces and nephews which 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 and Dr. Maureen Adamson for standing with us, and the many Drs. and nurses who were so kind at Lions Gate Chemotherapy Clinic, VGH, Langley Memorial, Mexico and Germany, and our BC Bio and Homecare nurses. A service will be held at Cloverdale Baptist Church, 18685 64th Ave., Surrey on Monday, September 11th at 10:30 am.
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