Ervin Francis Van Dyke, Little Chute, age 94, passed away on Friday, May 13, 2016. He was born on January 31, 1922 in Wrightstown to the late John and Bridget (Baeten) Van Dyke. He graduated from Wrightstown High School in 1939 and attended St. Norbert College in 1943. He proudly served in the Army Air Corps during World War II as a trained flight radio operator. Erv wedded Jane Weyenberg on August 31, 1946 with whom he was able to celebrate 59 years of wonderful marriage. He worked for Sylvester & Nielsen Office Supplies for 34 years, retiring in 1984.

Erv dedicated his life to the American Legion Club and was elected as State Commander and as a National Vice Commander. In this position, he often told of the honor of meeting President Reagan in the Oval Office. Additionally, he served on many state and national committees, received an award for being a 70-year member, and volunteered at Badger Boys State for more than 25 years. Locally, Erv belonged to the Urban Klister Post 436 where he also held many offices. Throughout his life, Erv was very community minded. He was a Kiwanian and served on the parish council at St. John Nepomucene in Little Chute.

Erv was an avid golfer and enjoyed spending time with his card-playing buddies on a weekly basis. He scored a hole in one at the young age of 90 and was thrilled to have once had a perfect cribbage hand. Erv never missed his Friday Fish Fry at Wrightstown Legion Club or his Sunday morning strawberry pancake at Landreman's Family Restaurant. Erv loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who all thoroughly appreciated hearing his amazing stories about his time in service and his travels around the world.

Erv is survived by his children: Dan of Wrightstown and Barbara (Mark) Mollen of Kaukauna; grandchildren: Andrea (Jade) Olson, Vicki (Kevin) Quinn, Bridget (Lee) Busse, Jason (Sheila) Mollen, Matthew (Trisha) Mollen, and Benjamin Mollen; great grandchildren: Walker, Cooper, Savannah, Gavin, Teagan, Austin, Autumn and Jackson; sister: Rosita Spierings; and brothers and sisters-in-law: Helen Van Dyke, Carol (Carl) Newhouse, Tom (Karla) Weyenberg, Lori (Don) De Groot, Rita Powell and Angela (Joe) Van Bakel. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, and a special friend, Bernice Geurts.

In addition to his parents, Erv was preceded in death by his lovely wife Jane; brothers: Edward "Bud," (Betty), Elmer "Butch," Lloyd (Ruth), and Sylvester "Ves" Van Dyke; and brothers-in-law: George Spierings, Mark Weyenberg (Rose), and Morris Powell.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 19, 2016 at ST. JOHN NEPOMUCENE CATHOLIC CHURCH (323 Pine St. Little Chute) beginning at 3:00 p.m. until time of Mass at 5:00 p.m. The Rev. Msgr. James Vanden Hogen will officiate. Military rites conducted by the Urban Klister American Legion Post 436 will immediately follow. Committal St. Paul Cemetery, Wrightstown. To sign the guest book, please visit oconnellfh.com.

Erv's family would like to thank the staff at St. Paul Home and Hospice Services for the exceptional care he received. They will miss most his stories, his smiles, his energy, and his love for life. Right now, they like to think he is dancing with grandma and teeing up for a hole in one.