Edward "Ed" Rodney Bishop van Gass (73) passed away December 24, 2022 at home in Grace, ID. Only 100 days since his beloved "sweetie pie" Nancy passed away.

Ed was born on September 12 ^th , 1949 in Johannesburg, South Africa. At the age 7 he was adopted by Sarah Bishop and spent his childhood living on a farm in Bethlehem South Africa. He was very active in sports including swimming and martial arts. Music was always his passion including Singing, Piano and playing the Clarinet.  At the ripe old age of 16 he joined the South African Police. Serving in several different police capacities including as the Military Police Band Leader. He also served in the Rhodesia war.

At the age of 25 he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served a mission in South Africa. After his mission he came to the United States to visit some missionary companions and ended up meeting Nancy Linville and her daughter Shylo.

Ed and Nancy were Married in Aug of 1978. In 1979 their daughter Helinfield was born, and Ed finalized Shylo's adoption. In 1980 their son LeGrand was born. In 1982 the whole family moved back to South Africa, where Ed served in several capacities including as Indian Police band director at the Indian Police College. In late 1983 another son JG joined the family. In March of 1985 the whole family moved back to Salt Lake City, UT.

Ed then spent the next 10 years working for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, mostly in the Bindery dept. In 1993 the family moved to West Jordan, UT. After several different job changes Ed decided his passion was in helping others, so Ed and Nancy moved to BYU in the Early 2000's. While living at BYU they were known as the "grandparents" in Student housing. After Ed graduated with his master's in clinical social work in 2006, Ed started working for LDS Family Services in Biloxi MS. While in Mississippi Ed worked with survivors of the 2005 Katrina Hurricane. In 2008 Ed and Nancy moved to Nashua, NH with LDS Family Services. In 2012 Ed retired and soon was called to serve a mission in South Africa with his wife Nancy. While in South Africa Ed worked with missionaries throughout all of Africa. After their mission they moved to Orlando FL and served another mission in the Orlando area.

In 2016 they made their final move to Grace, ID. Ed loved to play the piano in church and serve in the temple. He also worked as a social worker in Soda Springs for a few years. He was always there for an amazing story about his life and the love he had for his wife.

He is survived by his 4 children Shylo (Duane) Wheeler, Helinfield (Ed) Hanecak, LeGrand (Liberti) van Gass, J G (Heather) van Gass, 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by his wife Nancy van Gass and his mother Sarah Bishop.

Celebration of Life will be held January 21, 2022 at 10am in the Grace Idaho Stake Center.