William "Bud" Van Dyke

William “Bud” Van Dyke
Pleasant Hill

William Herbert Van Dyke, age 79, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his own home with his family by his side on Tuesday, May 25, 2021.

Bud was born August 30, 1941 in Des Moines, Iowa to Melvin E. and Wilma E. (Alexander) Van Dyke. He graduated from Des Moines Tech in 1959 and went into the jewelry business shortly after. He purchased his first jewelry shop, Van Dyke’s Jewelry, on October 15, 1973. He was an artistic, creative jeweler whose talent was renowned throughout Des Moines. Bud practiced his craft for 44 years, retiring in 2004.

Bud was a charter member of Lutheran Church of the Cross in Altoona, Iowa. He loved golfing and proudly displayed his Hole in One trophy that he was awarded on July 30, 2019. His artistic talents extended beyond the jewelry trade. Bud was also a talented painter, stained glass artist, and woodcarver. Bud was a family man first and foremost. He always made sure the family took a yearly vacation. He loved his family above all else and enjoyed spending time together. He and Carol enjoyed square-dancing and camping for many years, especially with the Fireside Camping Club. They made a second home in Harlingen, Texas where they wintered for the last 13 years.

He is survived by his wife, Carol McCoy Van Dyke of Pleasant Hill; daughter, Jill E. Stewart (Rodger) of Indianola; son, Eric J. Van Dyke (Karen) of Ankeny; four grandchildren, Addison Smith, Austin Smith, Megan Smith, and Natalie Van Dyke; brother-in-law, Bucky Vaughn of Des Moines; nephew, Kent Vaughn of Des Moines; nephew, Kelly Vaughn (Lesia) of Maxwell; and other loving family and many close friends.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Wilma Van Dyke; sister, Sandra Vaughn; nephew, Kevin Vaughn; mother and father-in-law, Dorothy and Merrill McCoy; and his grandparents, Herbert and Anna Van Dyke, and William and Cora Alexander.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, May 31, 2021 at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 1701 8th St SW, Altoona, IA 50009. Funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, also at Lutheran Church of the Cross, with cremation to follow. For those who wish to attend the service virtually, there will be a link available through Bud’s obituary listing on Hamilton’s website: www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com. Burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Pleasant Hill at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 18, 2021.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Lutheran Church of the Cross or UnityPoint Hospice at Home.

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