Timothy M. Von Duyke

Timothy M. von Duyke, age 81, passed peacefully on the 16th of April, 2023, ending his long struggle with dementia. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Judith Marie (nee Craft), son Nathan Winfield, daughter-in-law Traci (nee Purdum), daughter Sarah Elizabeth, and son-in-law Kevin Vas. He was a Papa to his only grandson, Daniel Winfield Vas, brother-in-law to William Craft and a strong voice in the lives of many families and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lee Winfield and Marion Ivy (nee Coode) Von Duyke, and siblings the late Lee (Bernice, deceased), the late David (Patricia), the late William (Patricia), and the late Marion (nee Murray).

Born March 6, 1942 and raised on the dirt roads and wooded valleys of North Olmsted, his childhood was spent bare foot, hunting rabbits and quail, and wishing he were a real-life cowboy. Not the scholarly teenager, he left high school behind to enlist in the United States Army, where he did complete his GED. He served 6 years between 1959 and 1965, achieving Green Beret status and his paratrooper rating, and was honorably discharged a decorated veteran of the Vietnam war. While on leave in 1963, he met the tall redhead that would soon become his wife in 1965. Besides his love of the great outdoors and a long book read by a roaring fire, it was his wife’s cooking he bragged was second to none.

        His life’s goal was to go bear hunting in the woods with nothing but a bullwhip on his 100th birthday. Despite missing that mark by nearly 20 years, he leaves behind his own legacy as a husband, father, grandfather, and friend. May he already be on his way to his next big adventure, bullwhip in hand.

        Memorial calling hours will be held at Bauer Funeral Home, 2089 Columbia Road, Valley City, Ohio on Monday, May 1, 2023 from 5:00-7:00 PM.  Tim’s ashes will be interred at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Seville, Ohio, Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 2:15 PM.  Please meet at the entrance of the cemetery at 2:00 PM. Following the burial, Tim’s family invites all to Jilbert’s Winery, Valley City between 3:30 and 5:00 PM for casual refreshments and conversation.   

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