Janice A. VanDyken

Janice Ann VanDyken, age 78, passed away Monday, August 7, 2023, at her home of natural causes. She was born December 6th, 1944, in Niles to the late Dale and Anna (Tharp) Akin. Jan spent her entire life in Southwest Michigan. She was in the first graduating class of Niles Brandywine High School in 1963 and later earned her nursing degree from Bronson School of Nursing. She met the love of her life, James F. VanDyken, while working at Bronson Hospital, and they eventually married in 1968. She began her nursing career with Bronson Hospital in 1965. Jan spent twenty years as an ER nurse and ultimately the ER charge nurse. After 44 years in the medical field Jan retired to enjoy time with her growing family. She volunteered for the Vicksburg ambulance for 15 years, and was the Schoolcraft Middle School camp nurse for forty years. When Jan wasn’t working or with her family, she traveled across the world to share medical research and humanitarian efforts. She journeyed to the USSR, China, Thailand, Japan, and Madagascar. Jan’s family and grandchildren were very important to her; she especially enjoyed holiday gatherings, and hosting Christmas Eve celebrations at her home for fifty years. Another event close to her heart was attending the Tharp family reunion in the Niles / South Bend, Indiana area. Jan had many cousins and relatives that she loved spending time with at least twice a year. When it came to friends, Jan had thousands of them. Once Jan met you, she became friends with almost everyone. Her relationships came from family, classmates, co-workers, neighbors, and just about everybody else she ever ran into. Not only was Jan friendly and hardworking, she was also resilient. Jan survived cancer twice and possessed a strong constitution.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Dennis Akin. She is survived by her husband, James F. VanDyken; children, James E. VanDyken (Heather) and Jill VanDyken Hunt (Mark); grandchildren, Jason and Justin VanDyken, Sienna and Jamison Hunt.

The family will receive friends Friday, August 18th 2023, from 10:00am until the time of funeral services at 11:00am at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 3926 S 9th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. A luncheon will take place immediately following the service. Interment will take place after the luncheon at Schoolcraft Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the family of Kayla Davison. Kayla, a local schoolcraft girl, and friend of Jan’s granddaughter, Sienna, was recently struck by a vehicle and is currently fighting to recover in Bronson Methodist Hospital. With Jan’s passion for nursing and her selfless love to help others, “Grandma Jan” would wish to help the family with their mounting medical bills. To donate please visit https://gofund.me/7c8eedb9