John H. Van Dyne

John Herbert Van Dyne peacefully took his last breath on earth to live for eternity with his Heavenly Father on December 28, 2020, at Labette Health, in Parsons, Kansas. He was 91 years old.

John was born on September 19, 1929, to Harry and Florence (Kennedy) in Independence, Kansas, the eighth of ten children.

He was proud to be raised on the Van Dyne farm and graduated from Independence High School. His experience growing up on the farm became his life long career; John was a Dairy Farmer, raised chickens, harvested alfalfa hay, wheat, milo, and soybeans.

John and Betty Lou Scrivner were united in marriage on December 24, 1950,  in Independence.  God blessed them with seven children: Sara, Cary, Sidney, Rosa, Rita, Rodney, and Philip. They raised their family on the dairy farm in Harmony Valley, east of Independence. Following the empty nest, John and Betty moved to town, managing Penn Terrace Apartments for five years.

John enjoyed singing in a quartet with his brothers on KIND Radio. His passion for planting walnut trees and spending time in the woods was legendary. He was always on the lookout for ways to serve those who crossed his path. His generous heart would often find those who visited the farmhouse leaving with a fig newton cookie, a block of cheese, or a cedar walking stick. He loved creating cedar candle holders, ornaments, and discs ("cookies"). He influenced many along his journey. When you left his presence, you felt unique and special with his one-on-one attention. He was a longtime member of the Independence Church of the Nazarene and most recently a member of Parsons Church of the Nazarene. John never lacked enthusiasm for sharing the good news of salvation. He was involved in the community and served on various organizations:

Big Brothers - Parsons Church of the Nazarene. The Rural Water District #6 - Manager. Joplin District Church of the Nazarene Advisory Board. Board member at Church of the Nazarene in Independence, KS. The Associated Milk Producer's Inc. Board. The Federal Land Bank Board. And, serving as a volunteer when the Billy Graham Crusade came to Independence.

On November 25, 2015, John and Alma Robison were united in marriage in Tulsa, OK. Together they enjoyed traveling to various church and family events, taking in a Gospel show in Branson as often as they could. Alma brought great joy to his life. He loved staying in the loop with his family and could recite all the names of his and Alma's descendants, numbering nearly 100 people.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Betty of 63 years, siblings: Dorothy, Hester, Wayne, Don, and Glen, and daughter-in-law, Tawnya Van Dyne.

Survivors left to extend his memory are: his loving wife, Alma of 5 years, children: Sara Lou (Bud) Cortner of Wichita, KS, Cary Belinda (Doug) Tennis of College Station, TX, Sidney Jay (Sheryl) Van Dyne of Lee's Summit, MO, Rosa Lee (David) Acheson of Olathe, KS, Rita Faye (Steve) Laswell of Tulsa, OK, Rodney Neil (Toni) Van Dyne of Ava, MO, and Philip Jon (Claudia) Van Dyne of Ozark, MO. Four step-children: Merlyna and Matt Spencer, Gloria and Dave McKellips, Mark and Linda Robison, Robin Breedlove, and their families. He is also survived by his four sisters, Francis Whitehorn of Bartlesville, OK, Thelma Canaday, Helen Norcross, and June Brannum all of Independence, many nieces and nephews.

John delighted in his 20 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren, and his first , great-great-grandchild,

The Celebration of John's homecoming will be at 2:00 p.m., Monday, January 4, 2021, at the First Church of the Nazarene in Independence, Kansas. Rev. Jake Blankenship will officiate the service. Burial will follow in the Harmony Cemetery, near the family farm in rural Independence.

Friends may call at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons to view and sign the book from 4 to 8 p.m., Sunday, January 3, 2021. Friends in Independence may view and sign the book from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Monday at the church.

You may contribute to the John and Betty Lou Van Dyne Scholarship Fund at the MidAmerica Nazarene University. In lieu of flowers you may mail or leave a memorial gift at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P. O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

The funeral service can be viewed live on the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home Facebook page.   For all events, social distancing guidelines will be followed, including the requirement of face masks.