November 14, 1939 – February 19, 2023
Information provided by Smits Funeral Home
Roger Glenn Van Beek, 83, of Lansing Illinois passed from this life to his home in heaven on Sunday, February 19, surrounded by his family. Roger was born on November 14, 1939, in Pittstown, New Jersey, to Peter and Nellie (Noteboom) Van Beek. He was the third of six children. In his school years, the family moved from New Jersey to California to Illinois before settling in Wisconsin. Roger grew up farming, but chose not to follow that path. He always gave 110% to all he did, including his family, work, and service, to the Lord.
Roger married Janice Dykema on March 18, 1960. They were blessed with three children Randy (Ruth) Van Beek of Lansing, Illinois; Sandy (Joe) Mulder of Delavan, Wisconsin; and Paul (Gail) Van Beek of Pella, Iowa. He was a devoted husband and father. He was a loving grandfather to 13 grandchildren: Ryan (Olivia), Jeff (Laura), Alexa, Andrea, Ross (Amy), Jon (Susan), Andrew (Meghan), Jared (Maggie), Hannah, Abby, Nick (Jori), Jeremy (Ashley), and Emily. Roger and Janice also are blessed with 10 great-grandchildren. He loved his family dearly and had no greater joy than to know each one walked with the Lord.
Roger was an avid Cubs fan and a loyal Packers fan. He loved to play sports and was proud to talk about his basketball career in high school. Although his education ended with high school, he encouraged his children to pursue college. He loved to sing, and was a member of the Crusaders quartet for 17 years. His love for sports and music were passed on to his children and made him a faithful spectator at many of his grandchildren’s athletic events, concerts, plays, and musicals.
Roger was devoted to Christian education and served as a school board member in his children’s school. He served several terms as an elder in churches in Wisconsin and Illinois, and was a Sunday school teacher and Cadet leader.
Roger was a man of deep faith and was always ready to give an answer for the hope that was in him. He was known to share that faith with his family, with neighbors, with travelers and workers at the Oasis where he walked, with his coffee buddies at McDonalds, and with all those who provided his health care. In his last days, he continued to share that faith in the hospital and was known by all the nurses for his singing.
After working in the building industry for 17 years in Wisconsin, he fulfilled a dream to be in ministry when he began to work at Bible League International in 1985 as the vice-president of finance. During his 22 years of service, he helped guide the ministry finances, visited field offices in several foreign countries, and led the building project for the current facility in Crete, Illinois.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, his brother Lynn and sister Char, sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Gerald, Donald, and Clifford.
Visitation will be held Friday, February 24, 2023, from 4 – 8 p.m. at Smits Funeral Home in Dyer, Indiana. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, February 25, 2023 (time and place pending). A private family burial will follow at the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Lansing, IL.
Memorials may be directed to the Bible League International.
