Henry DYCK

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DYCK: After a brief hospitalization as the result of a brain injury, Henry (Herb) Dyck of Portage la Prairie, formerly of Brandon, Manitoba, passed away peacefully on September 22, 2011, at the age of 76, with his family at his side. Henry is survived by his loving wife, Dorcas (Sercombe); daughters Carol (Tom) Foster of South Paris, Maine, and Mavis Dyck of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba; sons Earl (Linda) of Brandon, Manitoba, Wayne (Ruth) of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Dennis (and friend Dorothy) of Otisfield, Maine; grandchildren Dylan (Jessica) of Brandon, MB, and Deanna Dyck (Chad McKinnon) of Rapid City, Manitoba, Christopher Dyck of Chicago, IL, Amanda and Veronica Dyck of Jamesville, NY, Deleah Foster of Greenville, SC, Naomi, Devon, and Sherilyn Foster of South Paris, ME, and Timothy, Matthew, Rachel, and Joel Dyck of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Also surviving are great-grandchildren Brayden and Jordyn McKinnon of Rapid City, Manitoba, and Jacob Dyck of Brandon, Manitoba; one brother, Abe Dyck of Kimarno, Manitoba; and one sister, Anne Watson of Winnipeg, Manitoba; as well as many nieces and nephews. Henry was predeceased by his parents, Abe and Annie Dyck, his brother William, and his precious granddaughter, Dana Dyck. Henry was born on August 14, 1935, at Plum Coulee, Manitoba, and lived there with his family until September 1944 when they moved to Gladstone, Manitoba. After completing his schooling at Valley Stream School in 1951, he worked on farms in the area until he moved to Swan River to work as an apprentice jeweler in the fall of 1952. On December 1, 1954, Henry married Dorcas Sercombe in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. As he began raising a family, Henry worked as a farm hand for his father-in-law, John Sercombe, and also later for Fred Tufford. In 1960, Campbell’s Soup came to town, so Henry took a job at the plant until 1966. After diesel maintenance training at MIT (RRC) in Winnipeg, he moved to Brandon, Manitoba, where he worked with Lee Implements for a brief time. In 1972 he was hired as a letter carrier. Then in 1981 he transferred from Brandon to the Portage la Prairie post office, where he worked until his retirement in 1997.Henry’s spiritual journey began in the summer of 1948. While attending Vacation Bible School, Henry realized that the Lord Jesus had died for him; he repented of his sin, and he accepted Christ as his personal Saviour. He often spoke with gratitude for the two young ladies who gave up their summer to come all the way from Ontario to give the gospel to the children in the district where he lived. He then began to fellowship with the believers at the Gospel Hall in Pine Creek, MB, and later in Portage la Prairie and Brandon, MB. Henry also had many friends with whom he enjoyed fellowship, including the Christians of Crescent Heights Chapel in Portage la Prairie. Henry was a generous supporter of many Christian ministries, especially children’s works that spread the good news of salvation through the Lord Jesus. He was also one of the original founders of Christian Heritage School in Brandon. Henry was enthusiastic about keeping alive the memories of times past and so enjoyed photography and collecting memorabilia, especially anything pertaining to the railroad. He also volunteered at several museums in southern Manitoba. He was the driving force in the placement of a cairn as a memorial of Valley Stream School in the Municipality of Westbourne in the District of Muir on July 31, 1999. Henry will be sorely missed by his loving wife and family, his many friends, and also by Mavis, his daughter and biking companion. A funeral service will be held at Portage Evangelical Church in Portage la Prairie on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Visiting hours will also be held at Crescent Heights Chapel, 1745 Saskatchewan Ave West, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 with a devotional at 7:30 pm. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Postal Bible Studies, P.O. Box 110, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, R1N 3B2 or Canadian Sunday School Mission, 200-189 Henderson Hwy Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2L 1L7. Arrangements are by: Ronald Moffit Memoiral Services, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.

As published in Brandon Sun on Sep 27, 2011