Dyce, Charlie; There was a tremendous outpouring of love in Arthur this past week as family and friends gathered on Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church for the funeral service of the late Charles Glenn Dyce. Charlie passed away suddenly at his home in Gordonville on Saturday, November 22, 2008 in his 62nd year. He was the devoted husband of Donna Dyce and Dad of Candice (John) Anderson of Guelph, Laura (Shane) Rooney of Gordonville, Wayne (Erica) Dyce of Fergus and Sonya (Dan) McNabb of Arthur. He was also the loving and very proud Papa of Andrew, Noah, Kirstin and Wayne Anderson; Cole, Sam, Charlie and Erin Rooney; Russel, Spencer, Troy, Quinn and Jordy Dyce; and Logan, Chloe and Cameron McNabb. Dear brother and brother-in-law of Donna Scott & Roy Sutton of Barrie, Elsie and Earl Scarrow of Mt. Forest, Bill and Barb Dyce of Arthur; Jim and Dianne Dyce of Belleville, Roy and Judy Dyce of Coquitlam, BC, Andy and Pat Dyce of Arthur, Brenda and Ron Rooney of Arthur, Audrey and Walt Peacock of Barrie, Lindsay and Kathy Dyce of Arthur; Lynn and Bob Schmidt of Arthur, John & Penny Dyce of Arthur and Anna and Dave Langdon of Alma. Sadly missed by sisters-in-law Shirley, Marilynn, Betty, Sharon & Loretta and families and brother-in-law Gerald and families, and Jean Lawrence and family. Fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Predeceased by his parents Frank and Emma Dyce; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Wilfred and Irene Jones; baby brother, Irwin Dyce; brother-in-law, Edwin Scott; granddaughter, Rebecca Muir; great-niece, Emma Lambier and brother-in-law, Wayne Jones. The funeral service was held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Arthur and was officiated by Reverend Kees Vandermey of Knox Presbyterian Church in Elora. Charlie’s children spoke of what a kind, gentle and loving man Charlie was, not only as a Dad but also as a Papa, brother, uncle and friend. They told of his devotion to his wife, Donna, and how he would call her daily from work and was always more comfortable when he was at her side. They will miss dearly seeing that big smile of his, and the endless hugs and kisses he would give to them and their children, and all the stories he would tell.
A brief history of Charlie’s life described him as a conscientious student who skipped a grade in the early years when he attended the one room schoolhouse that still sits on the corner beside the family farm on Line 6 of West Luther Township. In later years Charlie bought the schoolhouse but was convinced by his mother to sell it as he never locked the doors and the “town kids” held too many parties there. Charlie attended high school in Arthur but stopped in grade 11 so that he could help out more on his parents’ farm as well as take on some extra jobs with the Co-op, the Arthur Dairy and with Hiram Culp. Charlie did further his education though and attended George Brown and Mohawk Colleges to obtain his electrician’s license. Charlie worked for 41 years at GSW Water Heating Company in Fergus. While at GSW he also continued to help run his parents’ farm and in more recent years, occasionally helped his brother Lindsay on his farm. Charlie never considered these a chore, but rather a privilege and an important part of who he was. Charlie’s favourite thing was being with his family but he was also an avid reader, and enjoyed growing giant Marigolds each year, going for drives (but not too far), relaxing at his sister Audrey’s trailer and hunting with the West Luther Deer Camp. Charlie’s oldest grandson, Andrew, spoke of how all 16 grandkids were blessed to have had a Papa that was so loving and proud of them. Andrew told of how the grandkids will miss the wagon rides he would take them on to collect flowers for Grandma and how they will miss hearing the nicknames he would come up with for each of them. Charlie’s niece Lynn Smith spoke of what a good memory Charlie had and told some of his memories from growing up alongside 6 brothers and 6 sisters. Bob Checkley, a friend of Charlie’s, told of how he and Charlie met and of good times from the past. Charlie’s brother Roy Dyce spoke of Charlie’s dedication to his family. He told of Charlie being nicknamed “the Governor” as he would always read the newspaper and then enjoy the chance to have a conversation concerning local and worldly events. This was something Charlie enjoyed doing right up to the day he passed away. Roy also spoke of how Charlie was a great uncle to his many nieces and nephews and how he always had a package of Chicklets in his pocket for some little hands to reach in and pull out. Charlie’s daughter-in-law Erica Dyce read scripture reading Psalm 30: 4-5 and Lamentations 3: 22-26, 31-33. Trina Larter played the piano and guitar and sang the songs “Throughout the Years”, “A Good Man” and “You Can Let Go Now Daddy”. The hymn “Just a Closer Walk With Thee” was sang by all and Charlie’s grandchildren led the congregation in reciting the Lord’s Prayer. Saddened, but honoured to be pallbearers were Charlie’s brothers Bill, Jim, Roy, Andy, Lindsay and John. Honourary pallbearers were Charlie’s brother-in-laws Earl Scarrow, Ron Rooney, Walter Peacock, Rob Schmidt and Dave Langdon. Flowerbearers were all of Charlie’s grandchildren. Lunch was served by the Arthur Presbyterian Church ladies and the St. John’s Catholic Church ladies. Donations in Charlie’s memory were made to the Gordonville St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. There will be a Spring Interment at Greenfield Cemetery, Arthur. Funeral arrangements were in the care of Crawford Funeral Home, Arthur.