Marlin “Murph” VanDyke, 92, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2024, at home. Born on August 25, 1932, in Shamokin, PA, the son of Carl and Ethel VanDyke. The family moved to Montgomery, NY when he was 9 years old, the place he always considered home. In 1979 Murph married the love of his life Mary VanDyke with whom he shared 44 years of marriage until her passing in 2023.
Murph played basketball and baseball at Montgomery High School and made lifelong friends there. A truck driver all his life, he began by driving coal trucks for his father’s business and later worked for many years at Brescia Lumber, hauling lumber throughout the East Coast. In retirement he continued to drive for the Town Montgomery & Crawford Dial-A-Bus/Senior Bus. Until his final months he could still provide directions, including the main and back roads to just about anywhere. Murph was in the U.S. Navy Reserves for eight years, there began his love for travel. He enjoyed many fishing trips to the wilderness in Canada where the fish never stopped biting. Murph was a lifetime member of the Montgomery Fire Department in the Wallkill Engine and Hose Company for 74 years, attending his last meeting in July of this year.
Murph was always willing to share his wealth of knowledge and stories about coal mining, his Pennsylvania Dutch family history, travel, the village of Montgomery and truck driving, always fascinating those in his attendance. His sense of humor and jokes will be sorely missed by family and friends.
Murph is survived by his four children, whom he inherited as teenagers (brave man) when he married Mary (he often said it was the best decision he ever made), David (Ellen) Winchell, Linda Winchell, Terri (Scott) D’Amato and Laura (Joel) Longinott. He is also survived by his brother Carl VanDyke and sister Faith Mitchell; his beloved nieces Carla Meisel, Kathy Carlstrom, Joy Sisco, Linda Mitchell and Nancy Brown and nephew Steven; and grandchildren Caylin Winchell, Alanna Kogut, Evan Longinott and his very special girl Jessi Longinott.
He was predeceased by his wife Mary, parents and sister Gladys VanDyke.
A special thank you to Laura who poured her heart and soul (and car miles) into keeping Murph healthy and happy and to his nieces Joy and Nancy who kept him laughing and busy with puzzles and card games during their numerous visits with him.
Visitation will take place on Monday, December 2, 2024, at Overhiser Funeral Home, 78 Union St., Montgomery, NY 12549 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday December 3, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Montgomery Fire Department.
Arrangements were made by Millspaugh Funeral Directors.
For directions or condolences please visit millspaughfuneralhome.com.