Ernestine Van Dyke of Greenup Dies at 103

GREENUP - Ernestine Bancroft Van Dyke, 103, died November 12th at 7:00 p.m. at the Casey Health Care Center in Casey, Illinois following a brief illness. She was born October 26, 1906 in Greenup, IL. to Ernest J. and Fannie Bancroft, Greenup merchants. She attended Greenup High School then taught 2 years in a country school in Cumberland County. She obtained her Associate Degree at the University of Illinois and taught English, Latin and Drama, at Sydney, Illinois High School for 4 ½ years. On January 16, 1932, Ernestine married her high school sweetheart, Walter S. Van Dyke, who became a 40 year executive of Ettelbrick Shoe Company. This union was blessed with children; an infant son; Joyce Skinner, Casey; Scott Van Dyke (Carol Hickox) of Tulsa, OK; and Roger Van Dyke (Linda Spraggins) of Vero Beach, FL. She was a 50 year member of Eastern Star, a 40 year member of the Casey Woman's Club and a member of Casey United Methodist Church. She is survived by her three children, one brother, six grandchildren and 18 great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, her husband Walter, on September 6, 1973 and an infant son. She entered Casey Health Center at the age of 95 after being cared for by her daughter Joyce for many years at 109 E. Delaware in Casey. Graveside funeral services and burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at the Casey Cumberland Cemetery with the Rev. Dr. Penelope Barber officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home prior to the graveside service. Memorial donations can be made to Casey Health Care Center Memorial Fund, 100 NE Fifteenth St., Casey, IL 62420 or the Casey United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 365, Casey, IL 62420. Memorial tributes may be sent to the family at www.markwellfuneralhome.c om. Markwell Funeral Home of Casey, IL is in charge of the arrangements. Obituary written by family members.²