Obituary of Gerald A. Van Slyke

Gerald Allen Van Slyke A Dove Release Ceremony for Gerald Allen Van Slyke of Winfield, MO will be held at 6:00 p.m. and an American Legion Service at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 17, 2009 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home near Winfield, MO. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 19, 2009 at McSpadden Funeral Home in Van Buren, MO. Rev. Alice Fowler will officiate with burial in Eastwood Cemetery in Van Buren, MO. Mr. Van Slyke, 79, died Sunday evening, September 13, 2009 at his home in Winfield, MO. Born November 3, 1929 in Flint, MI, he was the son of Clayton and Pearl Sayles Van Slyke. He was a 1947 graduate of Bergland High School in Bergland, MI. A veteran of the United States Army he served his country during the Korean Conflict from January 5, 1951 until being honorably discharged on December 12, 1952. He was united in marriage on September 4, 1953 in St. Louis, MO to Margaret Faye Levengood. This union was blessed with four children: Robin, Craig, Sherie, and Kimberly. He worked for several years as a stock chaser for General Motors, retiring in March of 1983. He was a member of the UAW #25 in St. Louis and the American Legion Post #338 of Overland, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clayton and Pearl Van Slyke; and two sons: Robin and Craig Van Slyke. Survivors include his beloved wife of 56 years, Margaret Van Slyke of Winfield; two daughters: Sherie Renville and her husband, Don, of Ellensburg, WA, and Kimberly Cash of Fenton, MO; Seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He also leaves one brother, Robert Van Slyke and his wife, Betty, of Plymouth, MI; one sister, Shirley Keller and her husband, George, of Roseburg, OR; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 17, 2009 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home near Winfield. Mr. Van Slyke will be transported to McSpadden Funeral Home in Van Buren for a visitation from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 3838 East Highway 47, P.O. Box 253, Winfield, MO 63389. Online condolences may be made at www.carterricksfuneralhome.com.