Gerald “Jerry” Peter Van Dyke, 77, of Warsaw, died at 10:50 p.m. March 4, 2012, in Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne.
He was born June 13, 1934, in Chicago, Ill., to William and Bessie VanDyke Kreft. On April 1, 1972, in South Carolina, he married Margaret “Maggie” Cecelia Van Dyke, who died April 10, 2008.
Moving to Warsaw from Chicago in 1972, she was a store keeper at Dalton Foundries, Warsaw, retiring after more than 25 years of service. He was a 1964 graduate of Menard (Ill.) High School. He loved to travel, enjoyed science fiction whether watching television and reading books and liked music. He was an awesome dad who gave the children their values. He was always there when the children needed him and he and his wife cherished each other very much.
Surviving are two sons, David Gerth, Warsaw, and Eugene “Corky” (and spouse Susan) Gerth, Gainesville, Ga.; a daughter, Karen (and spouse Cecil) Tullis, Farmington, N.M.; a daughter-in-law, Josephine Gerth, Homer Glen, Ill.; caregivers, grandchildren, Mark and Christy Walter, Warsaw; 12 grandchildren: Tony Mulrenin; David, Colton, Brandon, Kevin and Dylan Gerth; Mary, Rachel and Nathaniel “Nate” Bodkin; Christy Walter; Lucas Hurt; and Linda Flynn; 11 great-grandchildren: Austin, Michael, Devin, Vaughan, Audrey, Makayla, Christopher, Aili, Kenzia, Kevin and Kurt; seven brothers: Wayne Kreft, Monroe, Wis.; Robert Kreft, Rocky Mount, N.C.; Richard Kreft, Platteville, Wis.; David Kreft, Fort Wayne; Timothy and Glen Kreft, both of Tippecanoe; and Paul Kreft, Warsaw; and a sister, Barbara Ritenour, Carrollton, Texas. He also was preceded in death by a son, Kevin Gerth, who died May 14, 2007; a granddaughter, Terra Gerth, who died Aug. 3, 2009; two brothers, Donald Kreft and William E. Kreft Jr.; a sister, Charlene R. Camper; his mother, Bessie Kreft, who died July 8, 1977; and his father, William E. Kreft, who died March 7, 1995.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw, officiated by Pastor Jeff Pfeifer of Warsaw Community Church. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.
Calling is from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 30 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2015, Chicago, IL 60602.
Condolences may be sent via www.titusfuneralhome.com
