"IKE' BYRON ALEXANDER VAN VALKENBURG

Byron Alexander Van Valkenburg, affectionately called “Ike,” peacefully transitioned on August 24, 2024, at the Lake City Veteran's Affairs Hospital, The Serenity Place. Ike was born in Long Prairie, Minnesota, on February 21, 1927, to the union of Leon Rowe and Amanda (Manthorne) Van Valkenburg. Ike worked on the farm with his family until he enlisted into the United States Army on February 9, 1948, and was Honorably Discharged on July 7, 1954, at the rank of Sergeant. He served as a Lineman during the Korean War. He proudly served his country and has always supported various Veterans Organizations including Wounded Warriors and Paralyzed Veterans. Ike loved his family and adored his wife of 72 years, Dulsie (Dol) Vervalen Van Valkenburg. They were married on February 21,1952. After his discharge from the Army, Ike and Dol moved to Hialeah, Florida, where he began working in air conditioning & refrigeration. Ike had so many interests during his lifetime. He organized a Bluegrass Band (Sourwood) and loved playing the mandolin. He also built stock cars and served as the “Crew Chief” for his dear friend, Geoffrey, who was the driver. After retirement, he and Dol traveled around the United States for 2 years. Then they settled into Tallahassee and built a home. Ike began making woodcrafts in his shop that he named “Ike's Playpen.” He loved building various crafts and especially giving them to family and friends. Ike was very social and began selling his crafts at local craft shows. It wasn't about the sell, it was about meeting people and seeing the joy on the children's faces when he gave them a little car or truck that he had made. Every month, he and Dol attended the Senior Center sponsored Lunch and Learn at Chaires, where he always donated one of his birdhouses for the free drawing. Ike was a problem solver, and never saw anything as undoable, but as an opportunity to learn something new. He was very skilled at figuring out how to do most things and was coined as the “Valkenizer.” Ike lived his life with zest and up until the last 3 years, was actively building his crafts and working in the yard. Ike was a very special man, one who never met a stranger, and who would teach or help anyone. During his final hours, Dol and other family members were at his side listening to Bluegrass Gospel Music, telling stories, and reminding him of how much he was loved. We are at peace knowing he is in a better place and already playing his mandolin and building his crafts. Ike was preceded in death by his parents, Leon Rowe and Amanda Van Valkenburg; his son Byron Keith Van Valkenburg; and his brothers Donald, Leon Rowe Jr., Russell, David, and Stephen Van Valkenburg. Survivors include his wife Dulsie (Dol) Van Valkenburg; sons, Leon (Lori) Van Valkenburg and Scott (Patty) Van Valkenburg; daughters, Theresa ( Phil) Stancil and Melody (Ebo) Van Valkenburg; grandsons, Joshua ( Jenny) and Brandon (Barbara) Van Valkenburg; granddaughters, Jennifer (Anthony) Robinson and Emily Stancil; and great grandchildren, Wyatt , Everly, and Jaxson Van Valkenburg, and Billie Robinson. The family would like to express our sincere thanks to the professionals at the Tallahassee Veteran’s Administration, the staff at Big Bend Hospice, caregivers at Synergy Health Care and Tallahassee LLC, and the loving and compassionate professionals at The Serenity Place. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Ike's name to any Veteran’s organization, the Big Bend Hospice, Shriners, or St Judes Children’s Hospital. A Full Military Honors Service will be held on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 2:00 PM at the Tallahassee National Cemetery. It is suggested you arrive at the Cemetery at 1:30 PM to line up for the procession of vehicles down to the pavilion where the service will take place. The line will form on the right side of the administration building at the cemetery. The procession will begin promptly at 2:00 PM. The family is being cared for by Jackie Fulford and James Sircy of Young Fulford Funeral Home and Crematory, Tallahassee, Florida. 850.610.4444

"IKE' BYRON ALEXANDER VAN VALKENBURG

February 21, 1927 - August 24, 2024