Grace Maxine (Alexander) VanDike (1929 - 2014)

Born 22 May 1929 in Schuyler County, Missouri

Ancestors

Died 27 Jan 2014 at age 84 in Kirksville, Adair County, Missouri

Biography

Grace Maxine Alexander is the daughter of Redwald Pearcy Alexander and Marguerite (Graves) Alexander.

Obituary

Grace Maxine (Alexander) Vandike, 84 of Lancaster, Missouri passed to her eternal rest on Monday, January 27, 2014 at the Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, Missouri.

The daughter of Redwald Pearcy and Elgie Marguerite (Graves) Alexander, she was born on May 22, 1929 on a farm northwest of Lancaster, Missouri in Schuyler County. She was a 1947 graduate of the Lancaster High School and was the valedictorian of her class. On June 11, 1948, she was united in marriage to John C. Vandike by the Reverend Orval Prather in Lancaster, Missouri and to this union three children were born, John Dale, James and Barbara.

Survivors include her children, John Dale Vandike and wife, Kocoa of Lancaster, Missouri, James Vandike and wife, Sharon of Rolla, Missouri and Barbara Fitzgerald and husband, Jeff of Greentop, Missouri; her children rewarded her with 8 grandchildren, John Vandike and wife, Amanda, Gregory Vandike and wife, Cindy, Andrea Puricelli and husband, Paul, Joshua Vandike and wife, Laura, Shannon Scott and husband, Mike, James Dale Vandike, Sara Heimer and husband, John and Kaitlin Fitzgerald; 8 great grandchildren, Zachary, Rylee and Nicholas Vandike, Emma Fitzgerald, Meradith Heimer, Matteo Puricelli, Brayden and Macy Scott. Grace was also anxiously awaiting the birth of her ninth great grandchild. Grace was very devoted to her family as they meant everything to her.

Grace is preceded in death by her parents, Redwald Pearcy Alexander on December 22, 1970 and Elgie Marguerite (Graves) Alexander on October 10, 1976; her husband, John C. Vandike on March 7, 2010; one sister, Mary Martha (Alexander) McClure and one brother, Fred Earl Alexander.

Grace was a housewife all of her adult life and sold Tupperware for approximately ten years after her children were grown. She served as a 4-H leader for many years and participated in church service activities, as she was a member of the Lancaster Christian Church in Lancaster, Missouri.

Grace enjoyed gardening, canning, sewing, making and giving quilts to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to enjoy and treasure. John and Grace enjoyed many winters in Texas together and developed many friendships during their travels.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri with Sonny Smyser, Pastor of the Schuyler County Church of Faith officiating. Music will be provided by organist, Maureen Watkins and soloist, Cole Tippett. Special music selections will be "I'll Fly Away" and "On Eagles Wings". Pallbearers will be John Vandike, Greg Vandike, Josh Vandike, Dale Vandike, Paul Puricelli, John Heimer and Mike Scott.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri. Memorials have been established for the Schuyler County Relay for Life or Schuyler County Nutrition Site. Burial will be in the Arni Memorial Cemetery in Lancaster, Missouri. Arrangements are under the direction of the Norman Funeral Home of Lancaster, Missouri.

Sources

• Find A Grave Memorial# 124281873