Joel Van Dyke

Joel Van Dyke, age 81, of Grandville, was called home to be with his Lord on Friday, October 18, 2024. He was a graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High, received his B.A. in social work from Western Michigan University, and his M.S.W. from the University of Michigan. He loved school social work and held employment at both Kent Intermediate School District and Wyoming Public Schools in addition to having his own private practice in family and marital therapy for a season in Holland, MI. He also served as Social Worker for many years at St. Martha’s Catholic School in Sarasota, FL. He was a trusted and highly respected colleague in all places of work and a fierce advocate for children and their families who were struggling with mental health issues and other difficulties at school.   

Joel loved his Wolverine’s football and took great pleasure in watching every game (especially last season) usually surrounded by family. Tigers baseball was also a lifelong joy for him. He enjoyed traveling around the world wherever he had family to visit and had a great love for cars.  A quick glance at any set of tailights and he’d cite chapter and verse; year make model and engine. As a founding member of the Buick Club of America, West Michigan chapter, we had many old Buicks but it didn’t stop there. If you’ve ever seen a car and thought, “that’s cool”, it is very likely that he owned one at some point. Joel was unswervingly dedicated to his wife, his family, his faith and his community.  As a life-long follower of Christ he was very involved in many areas of leadership in the churches he attended in West Michigan as well as his beloved Sarasota, Florida where he and his wife Lois lived for over 25 years. He modeled Christ-centered integrity, selflessness and humility and impacted the lives of all he came near. 

He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Lois Ane Van Dyke (Petersen). Joel will be lovingly remembered by his children, Joel and Marilyn Van Dyke, Jeff and Judi Van Dyke, Angela DeJong; grandchildren, Joel and fiancée Hadassa, Sofia, Zoe, Caleb and Jade, Eli, and Bryan; sister, Jean VanderBie; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Lana and Jim French, and brother-in-law, Ron Petersen. A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at Lee St. Christian Reformed Church, 1261 Lee St. SW, Wyoming, 49509 with Pastor Steve DeVries officiating. Relatives and friends may visit with the family from 10-10:45am at the church prior to the service and a small luncheon gathering will occur afterwards (also at the church). 

Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Lee St Church targeted for neighborhood engagement ministries. Joel was born and raised in the Godfrey Lee neighborhood and grew up attending Lee St. Church having a deep love for both the church and the neighborhood surrounding it. 

The service will be available via livestream at https://youtube.com/live/OfKtHEgj1aI