Obituary of Andre Van Tonder

Andre Van Tonder was born in Johannesburg, South Africa on March 31, 1970 to Willem Frederick and Johanna Wilhelmina Van Tonder. He passed away June 7, 2020 at his residence in Bristow. Andre was 50 years old. Andre was born and raised in Johannesburg. During school he played Rugby 1st team, 3 years in a row. He played positions scrum half, flank, fly half and full back. After school he played for Wits Technikon. Rugby was a family tradition and he did play alongside his brother Frans, 1st team, for 3 years. Andre was in the South African Army for compulsory 1st year service in the medical unit. He worked at the JHB City Council and then went to work in the banking sector. He was retrenched and started his own business selling building supplies until he left for the USA in 2004 and again in 2007. He married Loraine Luttig, his former wife and mother of Jacques, Armand and Deban Van Tonder. While visiting in 2007/2008 he met and married Rebecca Losey on March 4th, 2008. Andre loved spending time with his 2 sons and family. He loved BBQs, fishing, camping at the lake, and building campfires. He was full of life and loved to joke around. He also loved working on his farm in Bristow where he raised sheep, goats, chickens, cats and show rabbits which were more Rebecca’s hobby. His sons Jacques and Armand also played on a rugby team here in the U.S. with their cousin Juan, keeping the family tradition going. He enjoyed raising sheep and goats, watching the spring babies play and planting a garden to grow fresh vegetables. He also loved cooking and loved a good T-bone steak. He enjoyed helping Rebecca with her photography and learned how to help with her website and editing pictures. He enjoyed taking trips and has been to several state parks in Oklahoma, Maui and Colorado. Andre was preceded in death by son Armand Van Tonder and mother Johanna Wilhelmina Van Tonder. He is survived by his wife Rebecca Ann Van Tonder of Bristow; sons Jacques Van Tonder of Rogers, AR and Deban Van Tonder of Fayetteville, AR; father and stepmother Willem Frederick Van Tonder and Oumelia Hornbrook; siblings Willem Frederick Van Tonder and his wife Genie, Johannes Christoffel (Johan) and his wife Elmarie “Ella”, Katharina Magdalena Sales “Rina” and ex-husband Stephen Sales, Francois Van Tonder “Frans” and his wife Ann; nieces and nephews Willie Jnr Van Tonder, Michael Van Tonder, Anastacia Dicks, Ruan Sales, Lyle Van Tonder, Devan Van Tonder, Leche Sales, Cara Sales, Jancke Van Tonder, Danica Van Tonder, Anrich Simpson and Wium Van Tonder. Services are scheduled 10 am at Camp Loughridge, Kirkland Chapel (4900 West Oak Leaf Drive Tulsa, OK) with interment in Bentonville Cemetery in Bentonville, Arkansas. www.greenhillok.com .