Phillip Vandyke

Mr. Phillip Edward VanDyke, age 74, of Oakfield Township, formerly of Grand Rapids, passed away early Monday morning, June 2, 2008 at Spectrum Health-Butterworth Hospital, Grand Rapids. The son of Robert J. & Jane M. (Beecher) VanDyke, he was born on Oct. 14, 1933 in Rockford, Illinois. After graduating high school, Phil served with the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. After returning home, he joined his father in the family business, VanDyke Portrait Studio in downtown Grand Rapids, which he continued until retirement. On Feb. 2, 1980, in Grand Rapids, he married Sally A. DeJohn. A long-time member of the Grand Rapids Lions Club, he also enjoyed fishing, yard work, and traveling. Surviving are his wife of 28 years, Sally A. VanDyke; his children, Sarah Jane (Al) Smith, and Daryl VanDyke, all of Grand Rapids; three grandchildren, Savanah, Grace, & Alec; two sisters, Pam Brownell of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Coryne (Richard) Struik of Grand Rapids; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Honoring his wishes, cremation has taken place and committal services, with full military honors, are at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 13, 2008 at Fort Custer National Cemetery near Battle Creek. Contributions in Phils memory are suggested to either Leader Dogs for the Blind (1039 S. Rochester Rd. Rochester, MI 48307) or the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan (1169 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108). To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Phillip Vandyke, please visit our flower store.