John G. Van Wyk, 96, of Oskaloosa, died Sun-day, Jan. 25, 2026, at MHP Hospital in Oskaloosa. Funeral services will be held Friday, Jan. 30, at 10:30 a.m. in Central Church in Oskaloosa with the Rev. Al Bandstra officiating. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. Visitation will begin Thursday, Jan. 29, after noon at the Bates Funeral Chapel, Oskaloosa. The family will be present from 5:30-7:30 p.m. to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to Gideons International.
John was born Feb. 1, 1929, in Mahaska County, the son of Cornelius “Neal” and Eva Jacoba (Heslinga) Van Wyk. He attended country school in Mahaska County and later worked as a farm hand. Feb. 2, 1950, he was united in marriage to (Erma) Ruth Nieuwsma. To this union, five children were born: Rodney, Juanita, Beverly, Roger, and Julie. John and Ruth initially lived south of Oskaloosa where he farmed and sold feed for Howard Bell. In 1955, they moved to Leighton where he worked as a serviceman and feed salesman for Brummel Brothers. It was common for John to show up to a farm in his striped bibs ready to help his customers with whatever was happening on the farm that day. In 1962, the family moved to a farm on top of Bellefountaine Hill where John raised Appaloosa horses, Polled Herefords, feeder cattle, and Suffolk sheep. After farming and working for 30 years for Brummel Brothers, John bought a garbage route and operated it until he sold it in 1990. John was an active member of Omega Church in Oskaloosa where he taught Sunday school and served on the board. He truly loved the Lord and his desire to spread the gospel led to a 50-plus year ministry with Gideons International and several years of prison ministry. After 63 years on the farm, John moved to Homestead Assisted Living in Oskaloosa on June 5, 2025.
His family includes his five children: Rodney (Pauline) Van Wyk of Ankeny, Juanita (Joe) Kuhns of Ankeny, Beverly (Butch) Van Der Veer of Oskaloosa, Roger (Rebecca) Van Wyk of Sully, and Julie (Colby) Bryant of Ames; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his wife Ruth on Aug. 3, 2013; his parents; and his siblings Carla Roozeboom, Geraldine Van Gilst, and Marvin Van Wyk.
