May 27, 2021

Michigan vegetable industry supporter Calvin Dyk dies at age 80

Michigan vegetable grower Calvin Lee Dyk, 80, of Hudsonville, died May 25 surrounded by his family.

Dyk retired from full-time farming at the end of 2004. Before retiring, he had been farming with his cousin, John Dyk, as part of Dyk Bros. Inc. The farm’s main crop over the years was onions.

Dyk served on the board of directors of the Michigan Vegetable Council from 1998 through 2006. He was also a charter board member of the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO, which combined the annual conferences of the Michigan Vegetable Council and the Michigan State Horticultural Society. Dyk was a strong proponent of the EXPO, both in the early years as a board member and through the years since that time.

Dyk sang with the King’s Choraliers, a Christian men’s choir, for 49 years. He also was an accomplished photographer who traveled the U.S. and the world. He compiled many inspirational slide shows with his photos

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Frances Dyk; children, Jeffrey Dyk, Greg and Karen Dyk, Winona Lynn and Jon Tinholt, Christopher and Kareen Dyk; grandchildren, Kiah, Grant, Zachary, Gordon, Annika, Vivian, Willem, Peri, Eli, Addie, Anya; honorary son, Abibou and Fatou Diaw and their children, Souwadou and Facky, from Senegal; sisters, Alma Statema, Leta and Rev. Laryn Zoerhof; sisters-in-law, Mary, Helen, Nancy, Terriann; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be held at VanderLaan Funeral Home in Hudsonville on Sunday, May 30, from 3 to 5 p.m.. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 2, at 6 p.m. at Immanuel Christian Reformed Church. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to King’s Choraliers or Zuni Christian School.