FATHER OF 8 HAS MUCH TO CELEBRATE

Today is Father's Day and Bob Beussink has done his share of fathering.

"We were very fortunate," said Beussink, who has is the father of eight children, who's ages range from 43 all the way down to 19. "They were all healthy and they were all good kids."

Beussink, who married his wife, Irma, 37 years ago said they never expected to have so many children.

"We're Catholic so we just took them as they came," Buessink said.

Beussink said he doesn't regret it for a moment, though. There was a lot of fun along the way and it was a pleasure to watch his kids grow up and have children of their own. Beussink said he has nine grandchildren "for now."

He must have done a good job judging from how his children turned out.

His oldest Bob Beussink, Jr. is a teacher at Perryville High School. His daughter Karen Rigdon is an officer at First National Bank in Cape Girardeau.

Three of the brothers, Chris, Matt and Jeff Beussink work together at Beussink Brothers Woodworks.

His daughter Marsha Williams is a registered nurse. Janice Long is a supervisor at Horizon Music. Their youngest, Chad Beussink, 19, is a student at Southeast Missouri State University.

Most of his children still live in Jackson and all of them will be celebrating Father's Day with their dad.

Happy Father's Day, Bob.