Joe Van Dyke

He graduated from Yoakum High School in 1942 and attended Texas A&I University prior to entering the military service during World War II. He served in the Army Air Corps as an aerial gunner on a B-24 bomber flying out of England. He attained the rank of staff sergeant as an engineer gunner and flew 32 missions over Germany including missions in support of ground troops during the Battle of the Buldge. He was honorably discharged from The Air Corps on July 2, 1945.

In April, 1946, he met the love of his life, Pearl Hazel Willman and they were married on November 3, 1946.

After living in Amarillo and San Antonio, they moved to Victoria, Texas where he was employed as a salesman for Groce-Wearden Company. In 1957 he entered the real estate business as a salesman, and later became a Certified Real Estate Appraiser. He and Hazel opened their own appraisal business in 1967, which they operated until their retirement in 2001.

Joe had many interests including leather tooling, woodworking and extensive travel through the United States, Mexico, Caribbean, and Europe. He loved his family, his Country, friends, life, and laughter.

As a member of the North Side Rotary Club for approximately 40 years, he served as president and had more than 32 years of perfect attendance, and was awarded the designation of Paul Harris Fellow.

He is preceded in death by his wife, parents, two sisters, Grace Van Dyke and Tessye Wheeler, and husband, Morgan, brother Henry Van Dyke and wife Margaret,

He is survived by his daughter, Dianne and son-in-law, Michael Appling, of El Campo, TX, grandson, Todd Respondek, and wife Holly, of El Campo, TX, granddaughter, Lisa Holt, of San Antonio, TX, step grandsons, Mike Appling, Jr., and wife, Leslie, George Appling, and Brian O'Leary, and step granddaughter, Kelly Appling, all of Houston, TX, eight great grandchildren, cousin, J.H. Landry, niece, Le Ann Wilden, and life-long friend, Clyde Lenz and wife, Margaret.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 25, 2012 from 1 to 2 pm at Colonial funeral Home with the Funeral Service starting at 2pm, Chaplain Lyman Mereness, Officiating. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery with Full Military Honors provided by the Victoria Veterans Council.

Serving as pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

Honorary pallbearers include, Carl Dubose, Franklin Neisner, Members of North Side Rotary Club, John Hudson, Bill Smith, Herb and Alice Doud, Keith Worsham, Ed West, Dr. Peter Reisz, George Totah, John Crews, Fred Sanchez, Marvin Franz, and Milton Neitsch, and Carin Adamson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Philip School, 302 W. Church St., El Campo, TX 77437, or donor's choice.

Words of Comfort may be shared with the family at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com.