Obituary: Steven Carl VanDyke
Steven Carl VanDyke, age 67, of Mason, Michigan, passed away in the comfort of his home on July 30, 2023, losing his battle with cancer. He was born the middle child of a family of five children, in Muskegon Michigan on August 31, 1955, and he was raised mostly in the Lansing area. Steve enjoyed all the usual outdoor activities that kids did in the 1960s including swimming at Moores Park pool, area lakes, Wolf Lake and Houghton Lake. Rollerskating at Edru was a big part of not only his youth, but also his adult life, and he worked there part time for a bit. As a teen, Steve was defiant. He got involved with drugs and alcohol, dropped out of school and ended up in jail for theft. While there, he decided to get his GED. After that, Steve chose to pursue dancing. While working at Red Lobster (Frandor), he took classes at L.C.C. and performed in many musicals. He was trained by Ric Mitchell, who then built a dance studio business around Steve and others who came after. Steve moved to New York City to pursue a dance career. He lived at the YMCA while taking dance classes and worked at restaurants to support himself as a struggling artist. He roller skated the streets of New York, and was mugged at one point. He was fortunate to get the role of “Action“ in the original Jerome Robbins “West Side Story“ musical and went on a two-year tour throughout Europe. Eventually, he suffered a leg injury and returned to Michigan.
On July 5, 1986 he met Barb White at a bar in Lansing. One dance and the rest was history. On October 29, 1988, Steve and Barb got married in Stockbridge Michigan at the First Presbyterian Church. He and Barb were blessed with a son, Samuel, in October, 1993, then another son, Mason, in April, 1996. In his mid-30s, Steve returned to LCC and trained to be a paramedic. He started working for Livingston County Ambulance in 1994. In September 2000 the family moved to Mason. Steve retired on his 60th birthday – August 31, 2015. Soon after, he started driving for Lexus of Lansing and as an Uber and Lyft driver.
Steve was a servant of Christ as evidenced by his actions as a member of Mason First Presbyterian Church for over 22 years. Always with a heart for helping others, he served on many committees and in several capacities. He was a hands-on kind of guy who volunteered consistently to transport people to and from services and oversee events, such as funerals and annual Sweetheart Luncheons. He was also a volunteer driver for the Davies project.
Steve stopped working upon his cancer diagnosis in January, 2023. His treatments began and continued from February to June, but were unsuccessful. As of July 30, 2023, his suffering is over. He will be sorely missed by many. He now joins several beloved family members, cats, and dogs who went before him.
Steve is preceded in death by his father, Harrison VanDyke; mother, Carol VanDyke; father-in-law, Curt White; sister, Julie VanDyke; and sister-in-law, Rosanne VanDyke. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Barbara W. VanDyke; sons, Samuel VanDyke and Mason VanDyke; and granddaughter, Caidra VanDyke. He is also survived by his step-mother, Patricia VanDyke; mother-in-law, Dorene White; siblings: Brad VanDyke, Sherri (Jeffrey) VanDyke Nylander, and Eric VanDyke; many beloved nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews; and special friends: Jim Hahn, George Hubbard, and Mark Ruhala.
A special thanks to Sparrow staff and Promedica Hospice team: Abby, Jennifer, Amanda, Casey, Dr. Harold Roth (thanks for the jokes!).
All are invited to help the family celebrate Steve’s life at Mason First Presbyterian Church located at 131 E. Maple Street in Mason Michigan. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 6, 2023, from 4-7 p.m. and on Monday beginning at 10 a.m. prior to the service which will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Bill Pinches officiating. The service will be live streamed. Please access the live stream via the church website at www.MasonPresbyterian.org – under the photo of the church are links to their Facebook page and YouTube Channel to watch services. A time for sharing love, memories, and laughter will be provided at a luncheon following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to Mason Public Schools Fine Arts Programs, 201 W. Ash Street, Suite 2AMason, MI 48854, Mason First Presbyterian Church, or the Ruhala Performing Arts Center, 1846, Haslett Road, East Lansing, MI 48823. Arrangements entrusted to Vickers Leslie Funeral Home, 109 N. Church Street/P.O. Box 503, Leslie, MI 49251. 517-878-6600.
