Gary Alan VanDyke

Gary Alan VanDyke passed away unexpectedly but peacefully June 28, 2020 at Brookdale Nursing Home in Bowling Green at the age of 66. He was born June16, 1954  to Orland and Hilda (Kopp) Van Dyke growing up in Samaria, MI and attended Bedford High School Class of 1972. His greatest love was his wife Sharon, who he adored and cherished. They met and fell in love in 1975 and were never apart. They were married October 22, 1976 and were joined at the hips. They were the couple that everyone said were meant to be together. Two peas in a pod, true soul mates. If you saw one the other one was not far behind. God had blessed them with pure love.

Gary was the sweetest, kindest, honest, loyal and the most gentle soul and was loved by all who knew him. He was quite the “music man” and had a love for all types of music. Gary had an expansive music talent and ability and had a true “rock & roll heart”. He could play by ear and he could pick up his “first love” his vintage Rickenbacker Bass and jump in the middle of any song and just start playing. Gary played in numerous bands rocking through the Monroe, Ida, Temperance and Toledo area in bands Cisco Kid, Jason Lush and various basement and garage bands, jamming the night away. He could tune guitars like nobody’s business.

He was a maintenance electrician by trade over 40 yrs. and would love to tinker, learning about electricity and electronics. At a very early age, while working in his father’s appliance business Van’s Service first in Temperance and then Ida, MI with his dad and brother Jack while mom did the books.

His wife Sharon survives him also his brother Jack (Jane LaVoy) VanDyke of Ida, MI; sisters Carol (Larry) Danzeisen of Temperance, MI and Betty Goldstein (William Shenk) of Acton, MA; he also had many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his grieving beloved Rat Terrier “Nugget” and MANY already in Pet Heaven.

Gary and his wife are animal lovers and rescued, nursed, nurtured, raised any animal in need. All their pets were rescued.

For over 30yrs the couple spent all their summers at their places in Port Clinton on Lake Erie; swimming, fishing and boating. Spending many hours around the campfire with their dear friends and laid in their lounge chairs watching the stars and meteor showers, enjoying God’s glory.

Anyone wishing to honor him may please consider The Toledo Humane Society,  any Animal Rescue or Music in the Arts

Gary’s wishes were to be cremated and his ashes spread around the couple’s special and some secret places, that meant much to them which they visited and loved over the years.

Family will receive friends at the Castillo Funeral Home 1757 Tremainsville Rd. Monday, July 19, 2021 after 5 PM followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 6 PM.

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