Wilfred Markey Jr.

1926 - 2016

Wilfred F. Markey, Jr.
Dallastown
Wilfred F. Markey, Jr., 89, died at his home on Friday, July 29, 2016, following a lengthy illness. He was born December 17, 1926, in York, the son of Grace Yost Rohrbaugh. He grew up in Loganville, where he left school at age 14 and went to work for his grandfather and uncles in their local butcher shop. He was married to the former Marian Taylor for 54 years until her death in 2002. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served just after WWII onboard ship as an officer's cook.
Surviving him are his three children: Susan J. (Michael) Knaub, Joan E. (Jeffrey) Mickey, and T. Keith (Beth) Markey, all of whom reside in the Dallastown area; seven grandchildren, Michael (Dannielle) Knaub and Katie (Mark) Stoops, Lynz (Jeffrey) Leader and Andrew Mickey, and Jason (companion Mia Vollkommer), Jonathon (Colette) and Christopher (Kelly) Markey; and six great-grandchildren: Michael and Madelyn Knaub, Caraline and Nicholas Stoops and Calvin and Alys Leader.
Jr. spent his entire life working hard and expected the same of his wife, children and employees. He began farming on his father-in-law's land shortly after his marriage and continued farming on some level until recent years. He began his company, Markey Trucking, in the early 50s hauling local freight, U.S. Mail on the Star Route, and Stauffer's cookies. Eventually, he branched out into special commodity trucking of locally manufactured items with his trucks leased to Hall's Motor Freight, Motor Freight Express, Preston Trucking and Harris Transport.
He had a lifelong love of antique cars and trucks, and following his retirement, he spent his time restoring his collection. His interests also included steam engines and antique tractors, mechanical music machines and carousels, and all things Moxie. He could be seen and heard at local parades and fairs playing his machines and showing his vehicles. The only thing he was really bad at was magic, but he had a great time showing kids card tricks and making money disappear and reappear. He was a lifelong member of the AACA Gettysburg Region, The Early American Steam Engine Society, Rough and Tumble Engineers, American Truck Historical Society, National Carousel Association and National Music Box Society.
As a child, he attended Emanuel United Methodist (formerly EUB) Church in Loganville with his mother and he would gladly show you his Sunday School pamphlets and perfect attendance cards to prove it, and as an adult he was a lifelong friend of St. John's (Blymire's) UCC Church near his home.
Per his request, there will be a graveside service only at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 2nd at Blymire's Cemetery, 1009 Blymire Road, Dallastown, under the tree, with Pastor Kurt Weber officiating, and with military honors provided by Dallastown American Legion Post #605. Following the short service, friends and family are invited to the Great American Saloon Restaurant at Dairyland Square in Red Lion to share memories and stories. In addition, for his Steam-O-Rama friends, there will be a short memorial service following the worship service on Sunday morning, October 2nd, at the flagpole.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Blymire's Red Brick Chapel Fund, 1009 Blymire Road, Dallastown, PA 17313; The Early American Steam Engine Society, P.O. Box 652, Red Lion, PA 17356; or to Hospice of Lancaster, 224 St. Charles Way, Suite 200, York, PA 17605-4666.
Arrangements are under the direction of Austin H. Eberly Funeral Home, Inc. in Dallastown. To leave online condolences, please visit
eberlyfuneralhome.com