Richard Van Wasshnova

Ancestors

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Memorium

Richard F. Van Wasshnova 1939-2021

Richard Francis Van Wasshnova died unexpectedly on March 15, 2021. He was 81. Richard was born on August 9, 1939 in South Rockwood, Michigan. The second of seven siblings born to Frank and Margaret (Bodenmiller) Van Wasshnova, Richard grew up on his family’s farm. After high school he enlisted in the Air Force in 1957, where this small town Michigan boy found himself in such far away places as Alaska, California & Nevada. In 1967, Richard met his future wife, Diane Weinger, over the telephone when he called her answering service. They soon fell in love, and were married in 1968. A few years later, a daughter , was born. The family settled in Trenton, Michigan, where they remained for the next 30 years. Richard worked as an electronic technician at Conrail, and enjoyed tinkering with electronics and broken down TV sets in the family’s basement. Following their retirements in 2001, Richard and Diane moved from Michigan directly to Leisure World in Seal Beach, California to be near their grandchildren. Together they enjoyed playing pinochle and participating in the Friendly Couples Club. Richard was also a faithful parishioner of Leisure World’s Holy Family Catholic Church. Known as Papa to his grandchildren, he was a dedicated and loving grandfather who picked up his grandkids after school for 15 years, and never missed a dance performance, sports game, school play, or awards ceremony. Richard loved listening to classical music, and enjoyed a tasty morning routine of Chips Ahoy cookies and black coffee for breakfast. He was interested in astronomy, and was super passionate about genealogy, personally tracing some lines back to the 1400’s. He enjoyed sharing his genealogy knowledge and expertise with others, helping them to know and understand their own historical roots. Faithfully devoted to his wife until her death in 2016, Richard was fortunate to find love and companionship for a second time with (living) with whom he enjoyed his remaining years. (Living) inspired in Richard a love of golf, karaoke parties, dances, and concerts. Richard is preceded in death by Diane, his wife of 47 years, and his two youngest brothers, Keith and Raymond Van Wasshnova. He leaves behind his daughter, his siblings, with whom he remained close, and numerous wonderful nieces and nephews. He has played a big part in the lives of his three grandchildren, (living) who loved and adored their Papa very much. Richard was a quiet and humble man with a kind heart. He was loving and patient, and was always willing to help or do anything for others. He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him. A funeral mass was held for Richard on May 1, 2021 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Seal Beach, California. An inurnment service with military honors occured on June 10, 2021 at his final resting place alongside his wife, Diane, in Riverside National Cemetery.

Biography

Descendant of Alexis Cousineau. He is my 3rd Great Grandfather. He served in the 2nd Regiment of the Michigan Militia in the War of 1812 His Great Grand-daughter, Loretta Alice Cousino, authored a very popular book, Cousineau Sur La Baie, featuring Alexis and his many descendents..

My family name, Van Wassenhove, means "from the Wassen farm". My LNAB is Van Washnova from my birth Certificate but I have always ignored the misspelling and used a double s.

My ethnicity is approximately:
5/8th French-Canadian Marie Archange Bondy, Cyril Gonyea, Marie Josephine Parent, Daniel Sylvester Cousino (my mtDNA) Adeline (Gouin;
1/8th Belgian Flemish(my yDNA) Judacus Van Wassenhove;
1/8th Lorraine France Sophia Noel.
1/8th Baden German Joseph Bodenmüller.

My mitochondrial Eve: Anne Richer
My Acadian tree starts at Marie Savoie.
Aboriginal ancestors: Symphorose 8a8ag8k8e Thomas, Marie Olivier Manitouabeouich & Marie-Christine Aubois.
African? ancestor: Michelle Mingray
Dutch ancestor: Hillebrand LOOTMAN
Swiss Ancestor: Rafael Romerio Mercatoriu

My 42 Filles du Roi ancestors: Françoise Aube, Françoise Barbery, Françoise-Marthe Barton, Marguerite Blaise, Marie Blanchard, Marie Bouart, Louise Bouchard, Renée Chamfrin, Marguerite Chaumereau, Marie Chevreau, Madeleine Chrétien, Marie Rose Collin, Françoise Curé, Claude Damise, Françoise De Charmenil, Marie Delahogue, Marie de La Mare, Marguerite Deshayes, Madeleine Després, Julienne Dumont, Françoise Duval, Louise Faure, Catherine Ferre, Isabelle Fressel, Catherine Gateau, Catherine Granger, Jeanne Juin, Jacqueline Labbe, Anne Loiseau, Françoise Moisan, Madeleine Niel, Catherine Paulo, Françoise Piéton, Catherine Pillat, Françoise Pilois, Catherine Poitevin, Marie Anne Poussin, Marie Richard, Marie Selle, Anne Thomas, Marguerite Viard, Marguerite Vitry

Born extremely Poshumus: Marie-Françoise Courault daughter of Pierre Courault and Filles du Roi Françoise Duval was born 14 Feb 1681. Her father died 4 May 1680, 286 days before her birth. Normal gestation is 266 days.

Sources

• First hand knowledge and written by Richards daughter.