Alvin P. Van Dyke

IN MEMORY OF
ALVIN P. VANDYKE

BORN
June 19, 1921 ~Inwood, Iowa
PASSED AWAY
June 2, 2006 ~ Sanborn, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICE
10:30 A.M. Monday, June 5, 2006
Bethel Reformed Church, Sheldon, Iowa
Gene Bomgaars ~ officiating

EULOGISTS
Adrian Dorsman
Vic Scholten

MUSIC
No. 166 “Precious Memories
No. 484 “Mansion over the Hilltop”
Sung by: the Bethel Church Trio
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
“Sweet Hour of Prayer”
“Under His Wings”
Organist: Carol Statema

CASKET BEARERS
James VanDyke Adrian Dorsman
Ron Bosma Steve Bosma
Ron Sterk Marlin Wolter

FINAL RESTING PLACE
East Lawn Cemetery
Sheldon, Iowa
Military Graveside Service by the:
Sheldon American Legion Post 272
and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7354

After the gravrside service, relatives and friends are invited to
join the family in the fellowship hall of the church.

Arrangements under the care of
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home, Sheldon, Iowa



ALVIN P. VANDYKE

Alvin Peter VanDyke, the son of Peter and Alberta (Menning) VanDyke was born June 19, 1921 in Inwood, Iowa. He was raised in different parts of Iowa, but mostly in Sheldon. He received his education in Rock Valley and later graduated from Sheldon High School. After graduating from high school, he went to Grand Rapids, Michigan and worked for the Keeler Brass Company until enlisting in the Army Air Corp. He spent three and a half years mostly in North Africa as a flight engineer. He was discharged as TSgt rank in 1945. In June of 1946, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Mellema at the First Baptist Church in Sibley, Iowa. After their marriage the couple lived in Sheldon and he worked for Continental Bakery for nine years. In 1959, the couple moved to Sacramento, California where he was a dispatcher for the California Highway Patrol. He later became the State of California Locksmith. He was very instrumental in rebuilding the State Capitols master key system. He received a commendation from the Governor of California. After his retirement he loved woodworking and made several things for Hope Community Reformed Church, including a beautiful kneeling rail. The couple returned to Sheldon from California to make their home. They moved to the Christian Retirement Home in 2002. Al has made his home at Prairie View Retirement Home in Sanborn since August of 2005. He passed away at Prairie View on Friday, June 2, 2006, reaching the age of 84 years, 11 months and 13 days.
He was a charter member of the Bethel Reformed Church in Sheldon, where he was currently a member. While living in Sacramento he attended Hope Community Reformed Church where he served as a deacon, elder, sang in the choir and taught Adult Sunday School Class and the Bethel Bible Series. Al leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Dorothy of Sheldon; a son, James and his wife, Lynda VanDyke of Colorado Springs, Colorado; two grandchildren, Sharon; and Jim and his wife, Patti; a great-grandson, Clay; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Henry, William and Lawrence and three sisters, Rena Jansen, Sue Brinkhuis and Jeannette Harthorn.


“To Those Who I Love and Those Who Love Me”

When I am gone release me let me go
I have so many things to see and do
You must not tie yourself to me with tears
Be thankful for our many beautiful years
I gave you my love you can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness
I thank you for the love you each have shown
But now it’s time I travel on alone.

So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust
It’s only for a time that we must part
So bless the memories within your heart

I won’t be far away, for life goes on
So if you need me, call and I will come
Though you can’t see or touch me I’ll be near
And if you listen with your heart, you’ll hear
All my love around you soft and clear.

And then, when you must come this way alone
I’ll greet you with a smile, and say welcome home.