Dwight (Van) Reed Van De Walker was born April 8, 1935 in Rochester, Minnesota. He attended Rochester High School, graduating in 1953, and joined the U.S. Navy, serving in Lake Michigan as a corpsman. He married Gwen Barnett on September 6, 1960 in San Diego, California.

Van began his career as Funeral Director, living for 10 years in Lake Elsinore, California, 2 years in Bellflower, California, before moving to Mount Shasta, California for the next 12 years. He then became a partner, then full-owner of the Owens Valley Mortuary in Lone Pine, California for 18 years. While in Lone Pine, he also served as a Deputy Coroner of Inyo County. Van retired in 1999, returning to Mount Shasta.

He was active in community clubs and services his whole life. In 1965, he was president of the Lake Elsinore Lion's Club and the president of the Dunsmuir Lion's Club in 1975. He was a lifetime member and trustee of the Mount Shasta Elks Lodge. He was on the board of the South Inyo Hospital in Lone Pine for 7 years, serving as the board chairman for 4 years.

Van saw his service as a Funeral Director as a sacred honor to families of the community, seeking to provide comfort and respect during a difficult time.

Van died on May 16, 2012. He is survived by his wife Gwen, children Gary Van De Walker, Heidi Riddle, and Wayne Van De Walker; and his six grandchildren Brandon and Aaron Riddle, Moira Van De Walker, Jonathan, Timothy, and James Van De Walker.

The family invites you to join in a Celebration of Van's Life at the Evangelical Free Church of Mount Shasta on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at 1:00 pm, 1030 W.A. Barr Rd., Mount Shasta. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in Van's name to the charity of their choice.