Melvyn G. Rykse's Obituary
Melvyn Glenn Rykse, 82 years old, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, and friend to so many, met his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on May 29, 2020. We are rejoicing with him that he now has perfect vision and is most likely singing praise songs to Jesus at the top of his lungs!
Mel was born on June 25, 1937, to William and Alice (Heslinga) Rykse and, as a young man, served in the U.S. Navy just after the Korean War. After he returned home from his service, he met Lois Terpstra and they married on December 10, 1959. God blessed them with four children: Constance (Philip) Warners, Lynn (Harry) TenHaaf, Rick (Amy) Rykse, and Dan (Beth) Rykse. Mel is survived by his wife, Loie, his children, 19 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and his brother, Ron (Carol) Rykse, and in-laws, Harry and Judy Dekker.
Mel and Loie had an extraordinary life together. His life radically changed as a young man when he gave his life to Christ. After that commitment, he focused on giving glory to God in many roles: as a small business owner in Grand Rapids, as a full-time missionary for Child Evangelism Fellowship, as a chaplain for Forgotten Man Ministries, as a team leader for Operation Mobilization in Haifa, Israel, and as a school bus driver in Muskegon.
Mel and Loie helped to start a church, Friendship Bible Chapel in Montague, Michigan, and the members of their church family have been so important to them. Since retirement, their days have been filled with friends, family, and conversations with complete strangers. Mel loved and valued people from all walks of life and eagerly shared his love for Jesus in both conversation and action.
Contributions in memory of Melvyn Rykse may be made to Operation Mobilization, PO Box 444, Tyrone, GA 30290 or Pregnancy Resource Center, 415 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. We will be celebrating his life with a memorial service later this summer. Arrangements entrusted to The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, Norton Shores, MI 49444.
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.
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