VANSYOC, James A. (1954-2020)

VANSYOC

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 7/6/2022 at 11:46:48

James Allen VanSyoc
(October 27, 1954 - November 29, 2020)

James Allen Van Syoc was born October 27, 1954 in Des Moines, IA to James Otley and Florence Ellen Van Syoc. He passed away Sunday, November 29, 2020 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center at the age of 66 after a short battle with COVID. He lived in several places during his youth including Cedar Falls, Parkersburg, Clarion, and a short time in Salt Lake City, Utah before settling down in Indianola where he spent the rest of his life. He graduated from Indianola High School in 1973 and Iowa State University in 1977 with a business degree. Upon graduation, he was employed by Iowa Workforce Development and worked there until his retirement.
Jim was united in marriage with Dixie Carol Nichols and they later adopted two sons, Chad and Daniel (Danny). The boys were a source of great pride for Jim and Dixie and their greatest joy was spending time with them and watching them grow and start families of their own. After Dixie’s death and Jim’s retirement, he could usually be found helping one of his family members or attending his grandson, Princeton’s athletic events. He loved riding his motorcycle, walking around Lake Aquabi, bowling, and listening to his favorite Christian music.
Above all, Jim’s faith was dear to his heart. He was known for his kind and gentle spirit and was always willing to help anyone in need with nothing expected in return. He spent many hours coming up with crafts for vacation bible school, helping with mowing at church or providing books or movies to anyone he thought would benefit from them.
Our beloved Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Dixie. Left to cherish his memory are his two sons, Chad Van Syoc and wife, Jennifer of Phoenix, AZ and Daniel Van Syoc and wife Ashlee of Van Meter, IA; grandsons, Princeton James and Alexander James (to be born in March); granddaughters, Jayde, Charlee and Londyn; brothers, Larry Thorn and wife Judy of Oxford, IA and Steve Thorn and wife Jane of Clarksville, IA; sisters, Mary Ellen Smyth and husband Jim of Vail, AZ and Chris Hitchcock and husband Merrill of Winterset, IA; plus many other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A private graveside service will be held Friday, December 4, 2020 at the IOOF Cemetery in Indianola with a celebration of life to be held later in the spring of 2021. This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/