Ralph John Van Wyk was born Dec. 3, 1930, to William Gysbert and Johanna (De Jong) Van Wyk, on the family farm south-east of Sully. He passed away Aug. 29, 2018, at The Comfort House in Pella. Funeral services were held Sept. 4 at Sully First Reformed Church. Interment was in Sully Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Gideons International or Hospice of Pella.
Ralph attended country school through eighth grade and completed two years of high school in Sully. He joined the U.S. Army in 1952, working as a radio operator until his honorable discharge in 1954. He later earned his G.E.D. through the GI Bill.
Jan. 4, 1952, he was united in marriage to Jane Ann Van Wyk at Second Christian Reformed Church in Pella. They were blessed with three children: Phyllis, Delwin, and Ruth. They were married almost 25 years until her passing in 1976. Ralph married Ruby (Van Der Kamp) Van Zante at her home in 1978.
Ralph began farming and continued until his retirement in 1991. He and Ruby then moved to Sully. Ralph continued his passion while working many part-time jobs in the agriculture and carpentry occupations. He enjoyed tractor rides and woodworking. He was a true Jack-of-all-trades!
Ralph is survived by his wife Ruby; his children and step-children: Phyllis (David) Zylstra of Pella, Delwin (Karen) Van Wyk of Newton, Ruth Renaud of Sully, Barb (Paul) Fynaardt of Oskaloosa, Bev (Rod) Van Maanen of Lynnville, and Brad Van Zante of Grinnell; his grandchildren; his great-grand-children; and his siblings-in-law: Esther Van Wyk, Dorothy Van Wyk, Jeanette Van Der Kamp, Vernon Van Der Kamp, Neva Lanser, Bernard (LaVonne) Van Wyk, Ada Kay (Gilbert) Van Maanen, Donald (Lucille) Van Wyk, Dick (Linda) Van Wyk, and Harold (Twyla) Van Wyk.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jane Ann; his siblings: Gysbert Van Wyk, Anna Mae (Bob) Dunsbergen, Gertrude (Ray) Van Wyk, Wilmer Van Wyk, Forrest (LaVonne) Van Wyk, and Vernon (Carolyn) Van Wyk.
