HAROLD JOSEPH VANDYKE was born November 15, 1908 on the family homestead in Verboort, Oregon, the son of the late Henry J. and Adelaide (Kersten) VanDyke. He was one of four children. Harold was raised and received his education in the Verboort community, attending Purden School.
He was united in marriage to Lucille Vandehey on October 6, 1931 in a triple wedding at the Visitation Catholic Church in Verboort. They celebrated their 67th Wedding Anniversary this past October. Following their marriage they have made their home in the Verboort community.
In 1917, Harold's father invented a seed cleaning machine and began his own business. Harold eventually bought the business from his dad, building the present mill in 1945. He continued to operate Van Dyke Seed Co. until he retired in 1976. Harold also farmed 300 acres.
He was a member of the Catholic Church, having attended Visitation Parish throughout his lifetime. Among his interests, Harold enjoyed hunting, especially for deer, pheasant and duck. He liked playing cards and trap shooting as well as fishing. He also loved baseball and in his younger days, played for and managed the Verboort Baseball Team.
Harold was preceded in death by his two brothers, Lawrence VanDyke and Frank VanDyke.
Harold died November 25, 1998 at the Evergreen Hillsboro Health and Rehabilitation Center. He is survived by his wife, Lucille Van Dyke, of the family home in Verboort; two daughters and sons-in-law, Betty and Gene Lewis, and Barbara and Richard Peschka all of Verboort; a sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Leo Bridges of Gaston, Oregon; and a sister-inlaw, Rena VanDyke of Newberg, Oregon.
Also surviving are seven grandchildren and their spouses, Laurie and Lloyd Smith of Omaha, Nebraska; Terry and Kim Lewis of Forest Grove, Oregon; Vickie Lewis of Washington, D.C.; Jill and Syd Lovely of Beaverton, Oregon; Cindy and Ron Brandt of Forest Grove, Oregon; Kristi Peschka and Brenden Smith of Beaverton, Oregon; and Patti and Paul Daskalos of Albany, Oregon; thirteen great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.