Mary Elma Van Slyke went to be with the Lord on Monday, November 22, 2021. Her life began September 9, 1924 in Miami, Florida to parents Maude and Norman Wilson. She graduated from Miami Jackson High School.
Mary and Chester (Chet) Van Slyke were married in 1943. As a military wife, she and Chet lived in many different places and in the process became parents to Richard, Craig and Glenn. In 1969, they settled in Orlando and she has lived in the area since.
Volunteering at Winegard Elementary gave her wonderful pleasure reading with children and helping where needed. She visited other Orange County schools as the Story Lady and often dressed in costume to enhance whatever story she was sharing with the children. Being an accomplished seamstress certainly helped with the costume building. Eventually, she took a full time position as attendance clerk at Winegard where she was loved by the teachers and staff.
Mary was a long time and active member of First Baptist Church of Pine Castle. Teaching her Sunday school class was another great joy in her life.
Preceding her in death were her husband Chet Van Slyke, her youngest son Glenn Van Slyke, and her sister Norma Jean DeWolf.
Mary is survived by her two sons Richard N. Van Slyke (Apopka) and Craig R. Van Slyke (Eros, Louisiana). She is also survived by her niece Laura DeWolf Rieker (Brooksville, FL), two great nieces, one great nephew, and two great, great nephews.
Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church of Pine Castle on Thursday, December 2nd beginning with visitation at 2:30 pm and the service at 3:00 pm. Mary will be buried at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida alongside her husband, Chet.
Her favorite charities were Doctors Without Borders, Boys Town, and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida if you’d like to make a donation in her memory in lieu of flowers.
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