Floyd Emerson Opdycke, 95, of rural Fayette, died early Monday morning, January 6, 2014, at his home. He was born April 15, 1918, in Gorham Township, to the late Waldo Emerson and Ella Anna (Weber) Opdycke. He married Hutoka Alice Gerig on May 31, 1942, in West Unity, OH, and she survives.
Floyd was a life-long resident and farmer in the Fayette area. In addition to his passion for farming, he enjoyed hunting, fishing trips in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, mushroom hunting, crop tours, tile ditching, and frequent visits to the casino. Floyd was the last surviving member of the “garden club”.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Hutoka, are their seven children, James Wayne Opdycke of Archbold, OH, Lee Waldo (Marilyn) Opdycke of Fayette, Larry Ray Opdycke of Fairbanks, AK, Donald Floyd (Joan) Opdycke of Alvordton, OH, Ella Marie (Allan) Lichtenwald of Archbold, Connie Sue (Ken) Wagner of Fayette, and Lyle Lynn “Butch” (Linda) Opdycke of Fayette; 21 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren with one on-the-way.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Willard, Dale, and Wayne Opdycke; and a grandson, Chris Opdycke.
A funeral service for Floyd will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at the Eagle Funeral Home-Barrett Chapel in Fayette with Pastor Katherine Currier officiating. Interment will follow at the Pleasant View Union Cemetery in Fayette. The family will receive friends for a visitation on Friday afternoon, from 3-8 p.m.
Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct memorial donations in Floyd’s honor to the Gorham-Fayette Fire Department or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Friends can share condolences and memories with the Opdycke family online at www.eaglefuneralhomes.com