William (Lynn) VanDyke's Obituary
William Lynn VanDyke of Union City, Tennessee passed away on January 30, 2023 at his residence at the age of seventy-six years old, a day after his birthday. He was born on January 29, 1947 in Villa Ridge, Illinois, to the late Cleola and Ben VanDyke, Sr. He was affectionately called “Lynn” by his family and friends. He moved to Jackson, Michigan at the age of six months with his family for a better life.
Lynn attended Jackson Public Schools and graduated from Parkside High School class of 1966. As a teenager, he had a business venture as a “walking barber”. His main work career started and finished with Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. He held various jobs within the company starting at the Jackson, Michigan location to later transfer to the Union City, Tennessee facility in 1982. As a role model, dedicated and loyal employee, he retired with nearly forty years of service.
Lynn enjoyed being around family and friends. He seldom met a stranger as he loved to talk. He considered himself a great cook and would brag to family about his super barbeque skills. He enjoyed playing bid whist and thought of himself as being a skilled whist player. Lynn enjoyed reading and discussing political topics. He was sometimes referred to as Mr. Gadget because he enjoyed tinkering with junk and trying to fix them.
Lynn is survived by his loving sons, Abdul and Jamail VanDyke of Union City, Tennessee; daughter, Elizabeth Belew of Lansing, Michigan; brothers, Benjamin H. VanDyke, Jr. of Lansing, Michigan and Cecil (Sally) VanDyke of Jackson, Michigan; twin sister, Wilma Lynda (Jeverson) Kelley of Lansing, Michigan; sisters-in-law, Patricia Brown, Rochelle VanDyke and Bertha Smith of Jackson Michigan; brothers-in-law, Larry Sherrod of Jackson, Michigan and Gary (Pinky) Sherrod of Minneapolis Minnesota; five grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Lynn was preceded in death by his parents, Cleola and Ben VanDyke, Sr., his loving wife of 46 years, Shelia Sherrod VanDyke, brother, James VanDyke, and stepfather, Thomas C. Smith, step-sisters,Shirley Lindsey and Vashtye Reynolds; step-brother, Alvin Smith Sr.
William Lynn VanDyke will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
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