Cloudy, 29° F
(Aug. 18, 1937 - Oct. 28, 2012)
Betty Carol Van Dyke died Sunday, Oct. 28 at her home in Powell, surrounded by her loving family. She was 75.
Betty was born Aug. 18, 1937 in Shawnee, Okla., to Vera Lillian Stanfill Hilleary and Lee Hilleary.
She was raised in Oklahoma and attended schools in Woodward.
Betty married WR “Bunk” Boyles, and they had five children. They were later divorced, and she moved to Meeteetse. There she met and married her best friend and soul mate, Eugene Van Dyke, whose daughter, Honey Lee Van Dyke (Mangus), became a part of their blended family.
Betty and Eugene were married on Sept. 12, 1972, and the couple recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.
Betty worked at Powell Hospital, Lamplighter and Kings Inn until she retired, and she was active in the VFW Ladies’ Auxiliary.
Betty and Eugene put many miles on their four-wheelers, mostly in the Big Horns, often taking grandchildren. Medicine Lodge campground in Hyattville was perhaps their favorite spot, although many weekends were spent catfishing at Yellowtail.
Numerous hours of weeding and watering were spent on her gorgeous flower beds from early spring till fall.
One of Betty’s greatest joys was seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Summer family reunions were a highlight in her life when she could still enjoy them. She was loved by everyone and always had a kind word for them.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister Juanita Stephens; brother Sonny Hilleary; and grandson Tracy Jones.
Betty is survived by her husband of 40 years, Eugene Van Dyke; sons Bud (Karen) Boyles and Ed Boyles (BJ Fackrell); daughters Deanna (Mike) MacKenzie, Janell (Marvin) Mauch, Deborah Smith (Celia Solis) and Honey Lee (Shon) Mangus; brother Paul Hilleary of Albuquerque, N.M.; 15 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will take place at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 2 at Thompson Funeral Home. Viewing will take place one hour before services.
Burial will be at Crown Hill Cemetery, and a celebration of life luncheon will follow at 1 p.m. at the VFW.
Thompson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and condolences may be sent to the family at www.thompsonfuneral.net.
