Tan Joo Khoon (Bukit Brown)

Tan Joo Khoon was in the government service in the Marine Department for 26 years and is the Chief Clerk of the Master Attendant's Office and an Chinese interpreter for the shipping community. His house was at No. 393, Beach Road. Tan Joo Khoon passed away at the age of 44 on 31 July 1926. This happened while he was holidaying with some friends in Benting Kusa, Changi, he had a heart attack. He died while in transit to General Hospital.

In 29 December 1898, there was a mention of Tan Joo Khoon as a 6th Form student of Raffles Institution which is probable as one as to be educated to move up the government service ladder. 

The late Tan Joo Khoon is remembered by a widow.

4 sons; Tan Lye Sia, Tan Lye Quee, Tan Lye Wah, Tan Lye Mok 

2 daughters; Tan Meow Luang, Tan Meow Gek 

1 daughter-in-law.

Tan Joo Khoon is also survived by 5 brothers: Tan Joo Seng, Tan Joo Sung, Tan Joo Eng, Tan Koon Yam, Tan Joo Kee. He is the brother-in-law of Seah Eng Lim. (Seah Eng Lim's father is Seah Peck Seah and grandfather is Seah Eu Chin).

The funeral was attended by many connected to with shipping including Captain Freyberg, R.N. (Master Attendant), Commander Oldershaw R.N.E, Lieut. Wilson, R.N.R, Mr. E. Galistan (marine department engineer), Mr. T.H. Eber (Shipping Master), Mr. H. Osman and the entire staff of the marine department. There were many wreaths, prominent among them being a beautiful tribute in the shape of an anchor sent by the marine department. 

In 15 December 1927, it was reported in the annual General meeting of the Family Benefit Society that the sum of $500 be paid to Mrs. Tan Joo Khoon, nominee of the late Mr. Tan Joo Khoon. 

Memorial stone of Mr. Tan Joo Khoon (photo taken in 2024 after clean up)

Tan Joo Khoon 

Wife: Madam Ng Joo Tian 
His wife who is in the tomb beside him is Madam Ng Joo Tian, who died on 30 April 1960 at the age of 72. There is another wife listed in the tomb, a Madam Lee Kah Lan.

Madam Ng Joo Thian

Marble stone of Madam Ng Joo Tian 

Wife: Mrs. Tan Joo Khoon nee Madam Lee Kah Lan

Madam Lee Kah Lan passed away at the age of 62 on 26 June 1962. She leaves behind;

3 sons: Tan Lye Kwee, Tan Lian Peng and Tan Ah Chua

5 daughters-in-law

2 daughters, 2 sons-in law and many grand and great grandchildren. The cortege left from 4 Binjai Park for service at St. Andrew's Cathedral and internment at Bidadari Cemetery. 

Family 

Sister: Madam Tan Siew Kim / Mrs. Seah Eng Lim

Mrs. Seah Eng Lim alias Madam Tan Siew Kim passed away at the age of 42 in 22 February 1935 at her residence, 42 Orchard Road. She leaves behind her husband, 1 son, 1 daughter, 1 adopted daughrer, 1 son-in-law (Mr. Tan Lye Sia), 1 adopted son-in-law (Mr. Ng Quee Poh), 

4 brothers; Messrs. Tan Joo Seng, Tan Joo Soon (subcontractor , Sir John Jackson, Ltd., Naval Base), Tan Koon Yam, Tan Joo Kee

3 sisters, several nephews, nieces and 12 grandchildren. She is buried in Bukit Brown. 

Son: Tan Lye Sia / Peter Tan Lye Sia

Tan Lye Sia worked at the Master Attendant's Office. He was also a committee member of the Singapore Badminton Association. Tan Lye Sia passed away at the age of 52 on 21 July 1957 at 117 Buffalo Road. He leaves behind his mother, wife, 

4 sons: Tan Chye Tiam, Tan Aye Tiam, Tan Hoo Tiam, Tan Poh Tiam

8 daughters, 3 sons-in-law, Eng Liat Kiang, Ng Song Hoe, Chan Hung Swee 

8 grandchildren. The cortege left the residence for the Church of Sacred Heart and thence to Bidadari. 
His wife, Mary Seah Chek Khim is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Seah Eng Lim. Mary Seah passed away on 6 April 2003 at the age of 95. 

Son: Tan Ah Chua / Dr. Tan Ah Chua

More than 500 guest were present at the wedding reception of Mr. and Mrs. Tan Ah Chua on 9 March 1949 at Robinson's Cafe. The bride was the former Miss Lily Ong (daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ong Hong Keat) while Tan Ah Chua is a dental surgeon and son of Mrs. Tan Joo Khoon. He went on to be the deputy Chairman of the Public Utilities Board and passed away at the age of 53 on 23 February 1972. He is survived by a widow (Lily) , 2 sons (Tan Juay Thiam and Tan Soo Thiam) and 1 daughter (Laura Tan). The cortege left from his Binjai Park Residence.

Location of tomb 

Block 1 Section B, plot 235 and 1/2 of 236. (Tan Joo Khoon)

Block 1 Section B, plot 237 and 1/2 of 236. (Ng Joo Tian)

References

Death of Mr. Tan Joo Khoon. (1926, August 3). The Singapore Free Press, page 8
The late Mr Tan Joo Khoon. (1926, August 4). The Singapore Free Press, page 8

Death. (22 July 1957). The Straits Times, page 6 

Deaths. (1962, June 27). The Straits Times, page 20

Tomb of Tan Joo Khoon and Ng Joo Tian 

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Memorial stone of Tan Joo Khoon