Eugenia "Jeanne" Maxine VanDyck

Eugenia “Jeanne” Maxine VanDyck, 90, passed away September 18, 2025, at her home in Fort Wayne, IN. She was born on January 11, 1935, in Menominee, MI; the daughter of William L. and Dorothy K. Sporrer.

Jeanne eventually fell in love with Jim VanDyck, an acquaintance that she reconnected with at his brother’s wedding. They began seeing each other regularly while she was living in Milwaukee and working as an executive secretary for Ansul Chemical; and he was attending Marquette University. Jeanne and Jim were married in 1961 in Marinette, WI and lived in Wausau, WI for a couple of years before relocating briefly to Indianapolis, and then Fort Wayne, IN, where they made a home and built a community of friends for the next 60 years.

Though she became a proud Hoosier, Jeanne never forgot her roots in Michigan and her love for Wisconsin. She was an avid Green Bay Packers fan and looked forward to her annual trip to Door County.

Jeanne’s life was characterized by a deep commitment to service to others, inspired by her faith. She was a member of the Rosary Sodality at St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Fort Wayne, led a Cub Scout troop, taught knitting as an elective at St. Henry’s Catholic School, volunteered as a concierge at St. Joseph Hospital in downtown Fort Wayne, and regularly volunteered to provide funeral meals at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Parish, where she was a faithful and active member from the time of its inception until her death.

Her humor, kindness, hospitality, and warmth were a gift to everyone who was lucky enough to meet her. Jeanne will be remembered for her deep, abiding faith, her unfailing love for her family, and her legendary baking skills.

Eugenia is survived by her husband of 64 years, James E. (Jim) VanDyck, daughters, Kathryn (Bruce) Klineman, Christine (Daniel) Schuhler; son, Thomas (Melanie) VanDyck; 8 grandchildren: Michael (Christin) Klineman, Samuel Klineman, Abigail Klineman, Joseph Schuhler, Marie Schuhler, Thomas Schuhler, Lindsey VanDyck, and Emily (Jacob) Venderley; 4 great-grandchildren: Ellie Klineman, Margot Klineman, Jackson Venderley, and Evelyn Venderley.

Mass of Christian Burials will be 11:00 am Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 10700 Aboite Center Road, Fort Wayne, IN, with visitation one hour prior. Visitation also from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Monday, September 22, 2025, at D.O. McComb and Sons Covington Knolls Funeral Home, 8325 Covington Road, Fort Wayne, IN. Private committal and entombment at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church School Education Fund.