Joan Betty Van Wyk

Joan Betty Van Wyk, beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away peacefully Sunday, February 15. She was 93.

Joan was the eldest child of John and Betty Weiler and grew up with her two younger siblings on the family owned and operated Rochelle Park Dairy Farm in northern New Jersey, just ten miles from New York City. Despite the proximity to the Big Apple, farm life meant large vegetable gardens, fruit trees, dairy cows, chickens, ducks, barnyard cats, fox, eagles and most importantly, Sissy, Joan’s horse. She was an accomplished rider and as a teenager, faced the difficult choice between caring for Sissy or spending time with Warren, her high school boyfriend. Warren won. For years she frequently joked about making the wrong decision.

They married after graduating high school and raised three boys. Warren worked overtime to support his family, while Joan worked tirelessly at home – cleaning, cooking, baking, doing laundry and managing the endless tasks that come with raising three sons. As the college years approached, Joan went back to work as a bookkeeper to enable them to graduate without loans – a gift they never forgot.

Joan was an active member of First Reformed Church of Saddle Brook, where she formed lasting friendships and served faithfully in the life of the congregation.

Life became sweet again for the empty nesters. New cars, dinners out, and travel. Those years were cut short when Warren was diagnosed with cancer. Joan became his devoted caretaker in his arduous fight until cancer won in late 1986.

Home alone for the first time in her life, Joan redecorated without Warren’s input.

In 1998 she made the reluctant decision to leave New Jersey for Indianapolis where sons Richard and Kevin and four granddaughters lived. She found a great condominium and became an active member of Fairview Presbyterian for over 20 years. She helped with the annual Rummage Sale and Fish Fry, was “queen of the kitchen” (there are rules about tablecloths!) and flower coordinator. Joan attended the Thurs morning women’s bible study and volunteered in the church office. In between those activities, she attended her granddaughters’ school and extra-curricular activities. She celebrated life in Indy with cookouts, sleepovers with the girls, vacations to her son David’s California family, a couple family vacations to Myrtle Beach and a wedding in Washington, D.C.

Joan will be remembered for her commitment to family and faith, her love of good food and fun, and the courage and generosity that shaped the lives of all who knew her.

Joan is survived by sons Richard (Juli), David (Judy) and Kevin; grandchildren Katherine (Stephen), Kristen (Tyler), Kelsey, Michelle, Kimberly (Dan), Matthew; great grandchildren Ella, Emery and Hazel and brothers-in-law Howard Van Wyk and Richard Gerber. She was predeceased by her husband Warren; sister Ruth and brother Robert.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 27, from 3-7p at Flanner Buchanan-Washington Park North, 2706 Kessler Blvd West Drive Indianapolis, IN 46228, with a Celebration of Life Service, on Saturday, February 28, 2p at Fairview Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests donations to Fairview, 4601 N Capitol, Indianapolis, IN 46208. Joan will be laid to rest in New Jersey, next to her husband, Warren.