Sheryl Ann Van Slyke, 79, of Sunrise Beach, Missouri, went home to be with Jesus on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at Ozark Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Osage Beach, Mo.
She was born March 23, 1946, in Oakland, Nebraska, the daughter of Donald James Lykins and Maxine Elaine (Stebbins) Lykins. On June 15, 1978, she married Stephen Vincent Van Slyke. They were the parents of a daughter, Terri.
Sheryl grew up in Green, Kansas and proudly graduated from Blue Valley Randolph. She earned a Doctorate in Theology from Abilene Bible College while living in Abilene, Kansas, and taught English at the K-12 Bible school. She worked at Steinhauser Hallmark in Abilene, designing store displays before returning home to be a full-time Mom. After relocating for work to Albany, Mo., then York, Pennsylvania, Steve and Sheryl returned to Missouri to the Lake of the Ozarks, where Sheryl could enjoy her “pretty trees” and life by the lake.
Her artistic and creative attributes were a part of everything she did. Her home was beautifully decorated for every season of the year. Sheryl’s gifted eye could orchestrate color, bling, and glitter into the perfect backdrop for her family to enjoy holidays throughout the year, but she especially enjoyed Fall and Christmas. Adjusting recipes to make her famous fried chicken and “secret recipe” hot sauce, Sheryl loved to provide for her family in the form of made-from-scratch, delicious food. She and Steve enjoyed seeing the country by way of road trips, often stopping to take in landscapes of trees she would paint in acrylics. Affectionately known as the cat whisperer, she loved the numerous cats she rescued in her lifetime, including her beloved Sir Thomas the Cat and her current grand-cat, Marvin. She was an avid fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals, and Kansas Jayhawks Basketball.
Sheryl was a great supporter of Terri’s athletic endeavors and often became the “Team Mom,” making posters and spirit cups. When Terri began coaching, she continued her support of her daughter’s team and became “Mama Sweet Pea.” She was a “Super Mom” in every way. Sheryl loved Jesus and she loved to sing. She was in a Christian folk group during the Jesus Revolution of the 70s, wrote songs, and taught herself to play the guitar. She participated in several local talent shows and enjoyed directing Christmas pageants.
In addition to her husband Steve, survivors include a daughter, Terri Van Slyke, Salina, Ks.; a brother, James Lykins, Henry, Illinois; a sister, Kay Lykins, Stanton, California; a nephew, Jason Lykins; a niece, Angela Easterberg-Berg; and several great-nephews and great-nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant brother, Terry, and two miscarried babies.
Graveside services will be 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at the Laurel Oak Cemetery, Windsor, with Pastor Pete Hill officiating. The family will receive friends before the service from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Hadley Funeral Home, Windsor. The family suggests contributions to Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left online at www.hadleyfuneralhome.com.
