Wilmer J. "Bill" Van Wyk, 84, of Monroe, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017, at Park Centre in Newton. Funeral services were held Monday, Nov. 13, at Prairie City First Reformed Church. Burial followed at Silent City Cemetery in Monroe. Memorials may be directed to the Prairie City First Reformed Church or the Gideons.
The son of William Gysbert and Johanna (De Jong) Van Wyk, Bill was born Dec. 1, 1932, in Sully. Bill attended school through the eighth grade. He proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Sept. 10, 1955, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Wagner at the Methodist Church in Monroe. Bill was a member of the Prairie City First Reformed Church, the Gideons, Farm Bureau, and Monroe Co-op. Bill farmed and loved to play in the dirt, building terraces, working on ponds, or anything that involved dealing with dirt. He was also involved with Prison Ministries and enjoyed going on antique tractor rides. His greatest enjoyment, however, was time spent with family and attending his grandchildren's numerous activities.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Dorothy; children, Donna (Bob) Carhill, Jerry (Brenda) Van Wyk, Brenda (Wayne) Burns, Lori (Ken) Kizer, and Brian (Kelly) Van Wyk; 15 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a brother, Ralph (Ruby) Van Wyk; and several nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents and siblings: Guy Van Wyk, Anna Mae Dunsbergen, Gertrude Van Wyk, Forrest Van Wyk, and Vernon Van Wyk.
