Rex Wayne Van Dyke
Rex Wayne Van Dyke
Manchester
Rex Wayne Van Dyke, 78, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Friday, June 20, 2025, at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester. He was born on March 13, 1947, in Manhattan, Kansas, the son of Dr. Robert and Doris (Robinson) Van Dyke. Rex was raised and educated in Pella, Iowa, and was a 1965 graduate of Pella High School. While in high school he participated in football, baseball, and track. He next attended and graduated from Buena Vista University in 1969. Rex was a proud member of the BV Baseball and Football teams and lettered in both for all four years. Rex was inducted into the Buena Vista 2022 Hall of Fame Class of 1968 Baseball Team.
Rex married Phyllis Schippers in Pella, Iowa. Two daughters, Jenni and Angie, were born to this union. The couple later divorced. On June 7, 1980, Rex was united to Leann Larkin at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. One son, Robert, was born to this union. Rex was proud of the time he had working as a history, psychology, and government teacher and coach of wrestling and football. He was also a salesman for many years.
Rex was a lifetime fan of the New York Yankees and shared that love with Bob. He was an avid fan of the West Delaware Hawks and the Iowa Hawkeyes. He enjoyed watching various sporting events. A favorite pastime was to drive near Backbone State Park to watch and count the deer, eagles, and turkeys. Rex loved to golf almost daily at Pin Oak Golf Course and was known to always have a cigar in hand. He and Leann took yearly trips around the country, with their trip to Alaska being his favorite. Rex loved his family and enjoyed being with them. He especially enjoyed his dog, BoBo, and cat, Puffy.
Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Leann Van Dyke of Manchester; his son, Bob (fiancé, Carrie Hannan) Van Dyke of Dubuque; two daughters, Jenni (Derek) Harksen of Rock Island, Illinois, and Angie Ditch of Marion; one granddaughter, Kensley Van Dyke of Wilton; stepgrandson, Jayden Simon; two sisters, Susie Logan of Dallas, Texas, and Donna Briggs of Henderson, Kentucky; brother-in-law, Pete (Dee) Larkin of New Hampton; six nephews, Steve Logan, Mark (Julie) Logan, Doug Briggs, Ryan Larkin, Sean Larkin, and Kelly (Sami) Larkin; and one niece, Becky (Keith) Hudson.
Rex was preceded in death by his parents; his parents-in-law, Al and Helen Larkin; and his brother, Robin “Rob” Van Dyke.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association or local animal shelters.
Online condolences may be sent to www.leonard-mullerfh.com.
Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at Leonard-Muller Funeral Home in Manchester, Iowa, with Pastor Mike Jackson officiating.
Visitation: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at Leonard-Muller Funeral Home in Manchester, Iowa.
Inurnment: Oakland Cemetery, Manchester, Iowa.