Elroy John Dyksen

Elroy J. Dyksen, age 92, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. He was born in Paterson, NJ to John and Susan Dyksen and grew up in the Riverside section of the city. In 1951, he married Wilhelmina (Wilma) Zuidema and they settled in Prospect Park, NJ. In 1966, they built a house and moved to North Haledon, where Elroy lived for most of his life – 55 years. For the past 14 years, he was a resident of the Holland Christian Home where he enjoyed the care and Christian fellowship of the staff and other residents.

Elroy was a member of the Faith Community Christian Reformed Church (formerly Fourth Christian Reformed Church of Paterson, NJ) in Wyckoff, NJ. He served as a deacon and elder and was involved in the design of the church in Wyckoff.

He was graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in business. Elroy was an inland marine underwriter in the insurance industry. He began his career with Appleton & Cox in NYC, and retired from Crum & Forster of Morristown, NJ as a Vice President. From 1980-1982, he was the Chairman of the Board of the Inland Marine Underwriter Association.

Elroy enjoyed vegetable gardening and working in the yard. He also enjoyed listening to organ music. Elroy and Wilma enjoyed traveling together and playing cards on Saturday evenings with friends. He also had volunteered in the emergency room at Wayne General Hospital in Wayne, NJ.

Elroy was predeceased by his loving wife, Wilma, and their daughter, Lois. He is survived by his sons John (Faye), Glenn (Nancy), Wayne (Marcia), and Robert (Esther) and a son-in-law Robert C. Unrath. In addition, God blessed Elroy and Wilma with 20 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. Elroy was very proud and thankful for his family.  He is also survived by sisters-in-law Lois Prins and Kathie Zuidema, and brothers-in-law Norman Zuidema, Roger Zuidema and Harry Prins. He also was predeceased by his sisters Huberta Jacobs Smith and Reann Dykhouse and by several brothers-in-law, William Zuidema, Samuel Zuidema, Jim Jacobs and Garret Dykhouse.

We are going to miss Dad and Grandpa very much and thank him for passing on his Christian faith to us.     

The Dyksen family will receive family and friends on Thursday, November 16th, 3:00 until 7:00 PM at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home (www.vpfh.com), 257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff. Funeral services will be held Friday, November 17th at 11:00 AM at Faith Community Christian Reformed Church, 530 Sicomac Avenue, Wyckoff. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Elroy's name may be made to the Holland Christian Home to be allocated for the "Employee Fund" 151 Graham Ave, North Haledon, NJ 07508, please indicate in memory of Elroy Dyksen.  Donations may also be made to Cru, 100 Lake Hart Drive, Orlando, FL  32832 and New Hope Community Ministries, 331 N. 11th Street, Prospect Park, NJ 07508.

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