Gerald VanDyke Sr.

GERALD VANDYKE SR.

Cedar Rapids

Gerald R. VanDyke Sr., 89, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully on Aug. 18, 2015, at Heritage Nursing and Rehab Center, Cedar Rapids. Gathering for family and friends: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. Graveside service: Linwood Cemetery at a later date.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth VanDyke; children, Terryl (Ron) David and Gary (Mary) VanDyke, both of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Scott (Dana) David of North Liberty, Bill (Dana) VanDyke, and Angela (Tyler Smith) VanDyke of Cedar Rapids; great-grandchildren, Rachel David and Parker Pierson; great-great-granddaughter, Adi Pierson; sister-in-law, Ruth VanDyke of Des Moines; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Melvin and Ralph VanDyke.

Gerald R. VanDyke Sr. was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on May 10, 1926, son of Herbert and Anna (Carlson) VanDyke. He served in the Navy during World War II on the USS William D. Porter destroyer in 1945, which was sunk off Okinawa by a Japanese kamikaze plane. In 1947, he married Ruth Smith in Des Moines. Gerald later served during the Korean conflict on the USS Lenawee destroyer in 1950 and was discharged in 1952. Gerald and Ruth enjoyed attending many ship reunions with his old shipmates.

Gerald also enjoyed woodworking, making many knickknacks, working on cars and was very handy. He could fix anything or at least try.

Special thanks to Jenny Offerman, Julie Kruser and Avery Arnold for taking such good care of Gerald at his home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.

Please share a memory of Gerald at www.murdoch funeralhome.com under obituaries.