Memorial Service: Sunday, May 17, 4:00 pm EST at the Vineyard
Carol Lynne (Van Dyke) Befus
December 16, 1953 - April 13, 2026
Carol Lynne (Van Dyke) Befus, born December 16, 1953, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed through the thin veil between this world and the next to her eternal home on April 13, 2026, in the springtime of her seventy-third year—the season she looked forward to the most.
A lifelong, devoted follower of Jesus Christ, Carol walked through her life with the confidence of this promise, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you" (Isaiah 26:3).
She is survived by her husband, Ray Befus, Jr., the love of her life for over fifty-five years. Together they aspired to fulfill Psalm 34:3: "Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together." Carol lived out that calling through a life of risk and adventure by partnering with Ray and their children to plant Vineyard North Church in Grand Rapids and by giving more than 25 years to Christian mission work in Zimbabwe.
Carol and Ray took delight in their four married children and spouses, Michael and Lauren Befus, Laura and Matt Gravelle, Heather and Adam Tichelaar, Kristin and Matt Scheider, along with their fourteen grandchildren, Jack, Evelyn, Ella and Henry Befus; Lily, Calvin, and Isla Gravelle; Hans, Heath, Huxley, Hadley Tichelaar and Julia Yeo; and Michael and Graham Scheider. Carol was so grateful to have all of her family living in the Grand Rapids area.
Carol is also survived by her mother, Anne Marie Van Dyke; and her siblings, Barb Watson, David Van Dyke, Tim Van Dyke, and Jan VanBruggen.
A memorial service and reception in Carol's honor will be held at Vineyard Church (4700 East Beltline NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525) on Sunday, May 17 at 4 p.m. EST, with Rev. Dr. Jackie Roese of Austin, Texas presiding. The service will be live-streamed at vineyardnorth.com.
Guests are invited to bring a potted flower to help turn the church into a garden (one of Carol's favorite places) and to take it home afterward to plant in her honor. Carpooling and ride-sharing are encouraged. Donations may be made to Vineyard Church in honor of Carol and her family.
A lifelong, devoted follower of Jesus Christ, Carol walked through her life with the confidence of this promise, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you" (Isaiah 26:3).
She is survived by her husband, Ray Befus, Jr., the love of her life for over fifty-five years. Together they aspired to fulfill Psalm 34:3: "Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together." Carol lived out that calling through a life of risk and adventure by partnering with Ray and their children to plant Vineyard North Church in Grand Rapids and by giving more than 25 years to Christian mission work in Zimbabwe.
Carol and Ray took delight in their four married children and spouses, Michael and Lauren Befus, Laura and Matt Gravelle, Heather and Adam Tichelaar, Kristin and Matt Scheider, along with their fourteen grandchildren, Jack, Evelyn, Ella and Henry Befus; Lily, Calvin, and Isla Gravelle; Hans, Heath, Huxley, Hadley Tichelaar and Julia Yeo; and Michael and Graham Scheider. Carol was so grateful to have all of her family living in the Grand Rapids area.
Carol is also survived by her mother, Anne Marie Van Dyke; and her siblings, Barb Watson, David Van Dyke, Tim Van Dyke, and Jan VanBruggen.
A memorial service and reception in Carol's honor will be held at Vineyard Church (4700 East Beltline NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525) on Sunday, May 17 at 4 p.m. EST, with Rev. Dr. Jackie Roese of Austin, Texas presiding. The service will be live-streamed at vineyardnorth.com.
Guests are invited to bring a potted flower to help turn the church into a garden (one of Carol's favorite places) and to take it home afterward to plant in her honor. Carpooling and ride-sharing are encouraged. Donations may be made to Vineyard Church in honor of Carol and her family.
2 Comments
Dear Befus Family, I am so saddened by the loss of Carol. Wow. She was one of the first and friendliest people I met when I started attending Vineyard. She was always a quiet voice of wisdom and I loved being in her presence. Carol always treated me like family and I will miss her dearly until we meet again! Sending you lots of love, Befuses.
Wow! What a beautiful and God honoring life. I didn't get a chance to know Carol well, but I know the fruits of her labor in Jesus. I see it in Vineyard North, in her children and grand children. In her husband and the many lives and souls they shepherded toward and in Jesus. Holy Spirit resonates in my soul how Carol gratefully received the words, "Well done my good and faithful servant." from our Father above. Thank you Lord for the beautiful life that was Carol, and that this life does not cease to give you glory, but joins the circle of saints. We grieve because her life is precious, and we rejoice because of the promise we have in our resurrected Savior, Jesus!
nI pray the blessing of God' presence over this family. May the Holy Spirit comfort them and the peace of God guard their hearts and minds as they fondly remember and celebrate this beautiful servant of God!