John Henry van Aken, a native of the Netherlands and a long time resident of the Mobile area, died Monday, May 9, 2011.
A marine surveyor, he 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.
He 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’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World. He was also named a Pete Allen Fellow at Westminster Village.
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.
Survivors include son, Tony (Tish) van Aken; brother, Antony van Aken of Loudon, Tenn.; three step-children, Eric B. Michaelson of Chicago, Annise Waterman Uphaus and Melissa Waterman Inge of Fairhope; a very special friend, Pat Strom; many caring friends and staff at Westminister Village.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 14 at Spanish Fort Presbyterian Church with Dr. Julian Walthall officiating.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the Mobile Opera, 257 Dauphin St., Mobile, AL 36626-2719, or Mobile Symphony, P.O. 3127, Mobile, AL 36652-3127.
Arrangements are by Hughes Cremation & Funeral Service, Daphne. Online condolences may be made at hughesfuneralservice.com.
