David Van Wyk was born on July 25, 1927, the thirteenth of fourteen children born to Guysberg and Gertrude Van Arkel Van Wyk. He went to his eternal home at the age of eighty-three on Tuesday, October 5, 2010, at the Friendship Manor Care Center in Grinnell, Iowa. He was the last living of the fourteen children.

David received his early education at the Dairy Grove School near Sully.

On March 19, 1948, David was united in marriage with Edith Kamerick in Pella, Iowa. After their marriage they rented farms around Sully and Kellogg. They were blessed with three children: Gayle, Kathy, and Dean. In 1962 purchased the Family Farm and continued to farm there until they retired in 1995. They moved into Sully 2002 and moved to Grinnell in 2008.

In retirement David went to work for Fred Schmidt Lumber for four years. He also made many trips to the farm to "see what was going on." David enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling and camping. He loved the outdoors, especially when he was deer hunting.

His greatest delight was his children and grandchildren always taking time to keep up with their goings-on. Family came first. He was known to drop whatever he was doing to help his family. Family members knew him as being a tease, ornery, and a hard worker.

David was a member of South Devon Cattle Association, helped with 4-H, and was a faithful member of the First Reformed Church in Sully, Iowa, as long as his health permitted.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Edith of Grinnell; his children: Gayle and Burley Harmon of Sully, Kathy Van Wyhe of Sully, and Dean and Vicki Van Wyk of New Sharon; seven grandchildren: Jeanie, Terry, Shaun, Trisha, Chuck, Gene, and David; fifteen great-grandchildren; two brothers-in-law: Gerrit Stouwie of Pella and Hank Terlouw of Lynnville; two sisters-in-law: Tunnette Van Wyk of Otley and Nellie Van Wyk of Pella; many nieces, nephews, and several dear friends.

David was preceded in death by his parents and thirteen siblings: Cornelius Van Wyk, Henry Van Wyk, Marion Van Wyk, Bert Van Wyk, Bill Van Wyk, Mattie De Hoedt, Carrie Braaksma, Jeanette Antle, Alenis Brush, Mary Grace Terlouw, Fayeola Stouwie, Minnie Ver Steeg, and Gertie Ver Steeg.

Porter Funeral Homes