Vernon Dale Newendyke

Vernon Dale Newendyke, age 88, of rural Lanark, passed away peacefully in the hands of God Sunday, November 21, 2021, while being cared for by family and FHN Hospice, at home. A Christian funeral service will be held 12 p.m. Saturday, November 27, 2021, with a visitation one hour prior from 11:00 – 12 p.m., at Law-Jones Eastland, Lanark, Illinois.

Vernon was born May 5, 1933 in Garden Plain Township, Whiteside County, the son of Louis E. and Gertie (Buikema) Newendyke. He grew up on the family farm with six siblings, learning hard-work by hand picking ear corn and hand milking cows (he thought it was fun to squirt the milk at his siblings or friends – his aim was good!). He attended the Cottle Country Grade School, Erie High School until moving and graduated Milledgeville High School in 1950. He enjoyed learning to box while attending Erie High and running track at Milledgeville. It was through these years that Vernon learned how to love the outdoors and be faithful to God.

Vernon’s heart began growing fond of Mary Alice Vander Vinne, and he could be found courting her on Sunday afternoons. Vernon and Mary were united in marriage on December 30, 1953 at the Newton Zion Reformed Church of Erie, IL. They have celebrated 67 years of marriage and raised five children. Vernon was a good husband, always patient and loving, studying the Bible, and often sharing devotions with family.

Vernon loved farming through the years, and he became passionate about researching grain markets. He is a founding partner of Sterling Futures, a commodity brokerage, along with his son Richard. Often Vernon would join his son announcing the markets on WSDR Radio.

Vernon was a long standing member of the Faith Reformed Church in Lanark, and served on the Consistory at the Church. He was an active member with Gideons International, and spent many occasions passing out Bibles and New Testaments. He held various offices in the Jo Davies – Carroll Camp for many years. On Sundays he would visit the residents of the Carroll County jail and share the good news of the Gospel with them.

Vernon will be dearly missed by his wife Mary of Lanark; two daughters, Darla (Larry) Hubbard of Lanark and Lorna Truckenmiller of Shannon; two sons, Richard (Lois) Newendyke of Sterling and Russell (Penny) Newendyke of Milledgeville; a son-in-law, Brian Murphy of Lanark. Fifteen grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; a sister, Carol June (Ernest) Eads of Fulton; and a brother, Melvin (Barbara) Newendyke of Litchfield, Maine, an aunt Evelyn (Floyd) Perkins of Davenport, Iowa. Vernon is preceded in death by a daughter, Shari Joy Murphy; a son-in-law, Dean Truckenmiller; three sisters, Joyce Newendyke, Dorothy Walvoord and Marian Reiling; a brother, Harold and both parents.

Memorials for Gideons International and FHN Hospice may be given in Vernon’s honor.