Bari Lane VanDyke

    Bari Lane VanDyke, 70, passed away on July 18, 2026 at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. He was born on October 12, 1955 in Trenton, Missouri to parents Lowell and Rollene (Alexander) VanDyke-Pritchett. Bari graduated from Trenton High School in 1974 and Trenton Junior College in 1975. On October 21, 1977, he married Janet Stith, they had one daughter, Kelly. They divorced in November of 2010.

    Bari was a jack of all trades, he drove a school bus in his younger years, worked at Trenton Hardware, co-owned R&B Construction, worked as a self-employed carpenter, worked at Mid-Am Building Supply for many years, was assistant manager at SMC Electric, and he closed out his varied career in the Maintenance Department at NCMC. Bari was a trustee at Dockery Chapel Church.

    Bari enjoyed spending time with his family, riding motorcycles & four-wheelers, restoration projects, woodworking, building model vehicles, and general tinkering. He was like MacGyver, where there’s a will there’s a way. He loved Sunday four-wheeler rides with family and friends, enjoyed taking his grandkids fishing, and driving in demolition derbies for many years.

    Retirement did not slow him down. He would often be found on a tractor, backhoe, taking care of livestock, woodworking of all kinds, and making model cars to keep his mind active. He had more time for the things he enjoyed most, like lunch with friends, working on his new house, valued time working on projects with his grandkids, or watching them at one of their many games or other activities. He was so proud of his grandkids and their accomplishments. He was a very caring, loving dad and papa.

    Bari is survived by his daughter, Kelly Neeley of Jamesport, MO; his grandchildren, Alexis (Ace) Neeley and her boyfriend Jordan Corum, Bailey (Bodyguard) Neeley, and Zander (my boy) Neeley; his cousin Jani Schepers of Prairie Village, KS; Janet VanDyke of Trenton, MO; Nathan Neeley of Trenton, MO; many cherished friends, and his faithful dog, Chewie.

    Bari is preceded in passing by his parents, his stepfather John Pritchett, his stepmother Rilla VanDyke, and his motorcycle traveling partner, Tina Totten.

    The family requests no memorials at this time. A celebration of life will be held in October with the date to be determined.