Lyman Van Winkle Jr.

Lyman Van Winkle Jr. (A.B., M.A., Ed. D.) age 92, of Flint, passed away on Thursday, January 23, 2025. A Memorial Service will be held at Unitarian Universalist Church of Flint in the Spring of 2025. He will be laid to rest at the Memorial Garden Cemetery of Unitarian Universalist Church of Flint. Sharp Funeral Homes - Miller Road Chapel has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. Online condolences can be shared by visiting his obituary page at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.

Lyman was born on July 31, 1932 in Richwood, New Jersey to the late Lyman & Sadie Van Der Werf, he was the oldest of four children. Lyman attended Eastern Academy, class of 1949. He furthered his education at Calvin College & Seminary, 1958, Michigan State University Ed.D, 1968 and eventually his doctoral in 1970. Education was of the utmost value to Lyman as even during his last years he stayed an avid reader, highlighting and memorizing literature. 

Lyman proudly served his country in the United States Army Infantry 1952-1962. During his service he completed Officer Candidate School of Ft. Benning Georgia and was commissioned as an Infantry Officer by four star General and President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Lyman served in the Korean Conflict as Platoon Leader of the 4th Platoon and was awarded a special honorable Certificate of Excellence in Teaching. 

He married the love of his life, Marion Welsh on August 13, 1955. They where blessed with their son, David Paul VanWinkle. Lyman and Marion were long time members the Unitarian Universalist Church of Flint. Lyman devoted many hours of volunteering with his church of which he was most proud of completing the church's Memorial Garden. He was an avid sports fan especially boxing.

Lyman's long career of education first started with Hile Jr. High School where he served as both a history teacher and counselor 1957-1960. From 1960 to 1962 he was a guidance counselor in Montclair, New Jersey at two middle schools. From 1962- 1966 he was Associate Professor of Psychology at Hillsdale College. He also taught at Tri- State College in Angola, Indiana as a visiting professor, 1964-1965. From 1966 to 1968 did post-doctorate course work at Michigan State University.

In 1968 he got his dream job of being Dean of Students at Blue Ridge Community College for 3 years. Then in 1971 moving to Flint Michigan working out of Central Michigan training and placing student teachers in classrooms. In the early '80s he decided to leave education and invest in low-cost housing for families and General Motors Institute student housing.

Lyman is survived by his loving wife of whom he shared 69 years of marriage with, Marion Van Winkle; his only son, David Paul VanWinkle; two sisters, Shirley Courtois and Ruth De Jong. He is further survived by other dear family members and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Norman Van Winkle.

His philosophy was: This life has been a rocky, but a great ride, and I'd recommend it to any and everyone.