September 26, 1911 – May 9, 2011 In Loving Memory.
Mobile

Mr. John Henry van Aken, a native of the Netherlands and a long time resident of the Mobile area passed away Monday, May 9, 2011. He was preceded in death by his parents, Antony van Aken and Nell Renzen van Aken of Rotterdam, Netherlands; and his wives Helen Jemison Waterman van Aken and Marilyn McDaniel Michaelson van Aken.

He is survived by a son, Tony van Aken, daughter-in-law, Tish van Aken, a brother, Antony van Aken of Loudon, Tennessee, and three step children, Eric B. Michaelson of Chicago, Illinois, Annise Waterman Uphaus, and Melissa Waterman Inge of Fairhope, Alabama. He is also survived by a very special friend Mrs. Pat Strom and his many caring friends and staff at Westminister Village.

Mr. van Aken, a marine surveyor, was a graduate of Merchant Marine Academy, Rotterdam, Netherlands. He served as honorary Consul General of the Republic of South Africa and received the highest civilian decoration, Commander in the Order of Good Hope in 1976. Mr. van Aken served three terms as Chairman of the Consular Corps of Mobile, was a member of the Board of Directors of Mobile Opera, Director of the Westminster Foundation and a former Director of the Museum of Art, Mobile Symphony and the Society of Naval Architects. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Mobile and was named a Paul Harris Fellow in 1991. He is listed in Who