Cheryl Vandyke

On November 29th, Cheryl VanDyke left the reclining chair at her sons house to be reunited with her husband in Heaven after deciding 2020 just wasn’t working for her. Cheryl VanDyke, formerly Budasi, was born on a year she won’t tell you in Chicago, Illinois. She was the cool mom, the funky grandma and the fun friend. Here in the quad cities, Cheryl loved her time at PDC in Milan where she made friends into family and learned to drive a mean forklift. She finished up her time with JD at the EM plant. She met Kevin VanDyke after he wooed her for months. They were blissfully unwed for several years, until he pulled the old “diamond in the champagne glass trick” on year 12. Sadly, Kevin passed unexpectedly six months later. Best friends, partners and a love story for the ages, they enjoyed driving way TOO fast in their fun cars and Cheryl loved it when Kevin would sing to her in that smooth Moline Boys Choir. The family takes joyful peace in knowing they are happily together once again. Cheryl is missed by her son Michael (Dr. Jill Hoff) Dillon and her grandsons Joshua and Isaiah. Michael is The Manager of Internal Reporting for United Healthcare in Wisconsin. Cheryl was so proud of both of her grandson’s athletic and academic achievements. She was often heard saying what great parents Mike and Jill are. Her daughter Michele Steeber and rescue grand-dog Kobe. Michele is a Chiropractic Assistant for Knight Chiropractic in LeClaire, Iowa. Michele and her “ma” texted dozens of times a day and spoke almost as much. She enjoyed visiting her daughter in Princeton where they would hang out at her house by the river, chill and go into LeClaire to try new restaurants. She loved her grand-dog Kobe and he enjoyed receiving packages from Grams on the regular. He will miss their silly face-times. Mother and daughter were able to share in Michele’s engagement to Frank Munch thanks to face-time. Michele wears the diamond that Kevin gave her mother in her engagement ring today in honor of them. Her youngest son Steve (Christine Ptacek) Dillon, who Cheryl spent the last several years of her life living happily with. Steve is a middle school teacher at Urbandale Middle School in Urbandale, Iowa. Cheryl took great joy in watching Steve fulfill his dream of becoming a teacher and coach. She loved watching his happiness as a father and husband. Cheryl enjoyed spending time at the big kitchen table eating as a family and listening to how much fun her daughter-in-law was with the kids. Her five grandkids were her “built in best friends.” She loved watching Kevin dominate sports of all kinds. She loved Maggie’s laugh and her kindness. Julia was her little partner in crime and side-kick. Cheryl adored her brother, the family Patriarch, Angelo Budasi. Angelo remained close and was always there for Cheryl and the kids as they were growing up. Married to “Aunt Andrea” (Morris) Budasi forever, Cheryl enjoyed their company and conversations between the three. Cheryl often chatted about their wonderful children, Sabrina (Drake) Martin and their children Jacob and Todd. Teresa Budasi and of course Bob. Christopher (Stacey) Budasi and their brilliant kids Lincoln, Reagan and Angelo, who reside in Guam. Nieces Shannon (Chuck) Dinwidde, Nephew Tommy (Dawn) Dillon, Nephew Tim Dillon and Niece Beth (Buddy) Kissell and Niece Melissa Yelm. Her very best friends Ruby Davis and Mary Jones, who continued to bring joy to her life, and who were loved by her children like second moms. They will be held tightly by Cheryl’s children as long as God allows. Cheryl was proceeded in death by her husband Kevin VanDyke. Her loved cocker spaniel Bruno, the family dog Emmett, her grand dogs Jack, Molly, Philip and Davis.