Van Buren---John J. Laplante, 75, passed away peacefully at his home on April 17, 2013. He was born in Van Buren on February 2, 1938, one of fourteen children born to the late Jean P. and Alice (Madore) Laplante. He worked as a farmer for all of his life, and also as a bus driver/custodian for MSAD #24 for eight years. He enjoyed working his garage sale for the past 25 years where he loved to wheel and deal with people. His favorite pastimes included riding and admiring his tractors, especially his John Deere's and Farmall's, playing his harmonica, but most importantly he enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of forty three years, Rochelle (LaFleur) Laplante of Van Buren; his son, Daniel Laplante and his wife Yolande of St. Andre, NB; his daughter, Nicole Laplante of Van Buren; three grandchildren, Rachelle, Janick, and John-Ross of Van Buren; ten step- grandchildren, Robert, Rino, Rosaire, Romeo, Roseline, Real, Raoul, Roland, Roger, Angel; one step great grandson, Abel all of Canada; one brother, Roger Laplante of Marshfield, MA; four sisters, Edna Violette, and Alice Morrow of Van Buren, Jeann D'Arc Reynolds of Hawaii, Claire Porter of Arizona. Family and friends may offer their condolences to the family 12:30pm until time of service Saturday, April 20, 2013 at St. Bruno-St. Remi Catholic Church, where a funeral mass will be celebrated at 2pm. Spring interment will be held in the Parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in June's memory may be made to Hospice of Aroostook, 14 Access Highway, Caribou, ME. Arrangements have been entrusted to Lajoie Funeral Home. "Death is not extinguishing the Light. It is putting out the Lamp Because the Dawn has come." ~Author unknown