Van Dyke, Wayne E. A caring husband, a great Dad and Grandpa, a brave soldier and a true friend. Wayne E. Van Dyke, 88, of Gurnee, IL passed on July 26, 2012. He was born May 29, 1924 in Assumption, IL. His hometown was Havana, IL until the family moved to Champaign, IL. After his marriage to Frances Matijevich at Holy Family Church on November 9, 1957, they lived in Waukegan, IL, their children's hometown, then Blythe, CA, Fort Meyers, FL and Gurnee, IL. Wayne retired from Johns-Manville Corp. as a Senior Industrial Engineer with 26 years of service. He entered the University of Illinois but at age 18 enlisted in the US Army. His WW II service in General Patton's 3rd Army saw him in combat in the Battle of the Bulge, Ardennes, France-from France to Austria. He was in Co. B, 41st Tank Battalion, 11th Armored Div., first as a gunner, then as a Tank Commander. Through the years he has been concerned over his 11th Armored buddies. In 1994 he and Fran and his WW II Buddies toured the route of their tanks, a truly memorable trip. Among his citations, he received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the British Military Medal and Luxembourg's Croix de Guerre. After his army service, Wayne resumed his education and was a graduate of the University of Illinois, Champaign, with a B.S. in Engineering degree; graduate studIes followed, including at Lake Forest College's Graduate School of Management. Wayne was a member of Johns-Manville's Quarter Century Club, the 11th Armored Division Association, and Veteran's of Foreign Wars, Fort Meyers, FL chapter. From 1963 to 1969, Wayne and Frances and the family moved to Blythe, CA for family health reasons and learned to enjoy the desert while operating their motel. Along with his service to his country, Wayne's life was full of service to home, family, grandchildren and friends and along the way, fitting in some golf, fishing and card playing especially with his and Fran's Manville and Fort Meyers friends. His happiest smiles came from playing games and cards with their grandchildren, to the annual reunions with his army buddies and TNK College buddies were very special to Wayne. Wayne is survived by his wife of 54 years, Frances; his children, Michael (Natasha) of Cullowhee, NC, David (Karen) of Lewiston, ME and Ann (John) Walin of Mundelein, IL. Also grandchildren, John "Jack" and Kristina "Kristy" Walin of Mundelein, IL, Devin and John Van Dyke of Lewiston, ME, and Alexander Van Dyke of Cullowhee, NC. Also surviving are sister, Alice (Andrew) Ekblaw and sisters-in-law, Joanne Van Dyke and Julia Van Dyke and their families. As well as in-laws, Rose Matijevich and John (Agnes) Matijevich and their son, Robert John. Also his and Fran's long time neighbor, Charles Carpenter and his nephew, John Rice of Waukegan. Preceding him in death were his infant granddaughter, Kathryn Joanna Walin; his parents, S. Howard and Nellie Van Dyke and brothers, Neil and Lindell Van Dyke. Wayne was deeply grateful to Drs. James Monahan and Mahesh Agarwal and to STAR Hospice for their care. His private Methodist service will be held in Louisville, IL, with burial in Bible Grove Cemetery. Family and friends will gather for a memorial service at 12:00 p.m. Thursday, August 2, 2012 at PETERSON & PATCH FUNERAL HOME 408 N. Sheridan Rd. Waukegan. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to time of service.

Published in News Sun from July 28 to Aug. 3, 2012