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BORN
1931
DIED
2019
FUNERAL HOME
Burl Updyke Obituary
He was born in Trucksville on Nov. 8, 1931, and was the son of the late Fred and Mildred Morris Updyke.
In 1962, Burl Updyke was employed as television engineer at WBRE. His entrepreneurial ambitions then led him to publish a weekly newspaper, "Country Impressions," in Sweet Valley. He and his wife continued this successful venture for 20 years. When they sold it to three of their sons, he was able to serve God full time and founded and built two Christian radio stations, WRGN F.M. in Pennsylvania and a mission's outreach, WIVH, F.M. in St. Croix, U. S. Virgin Islands. These he operated for 30 years, finally retiring at age 80.
Having lived life to the fullest, he had a commercial pilot's license, was a broadcast engineer and was an advanced class amateur radio operator. A recent ten-year project was the construction of a band organ, building the instrument from scratch including nearly 100 organ pipes. He was an accomplished wood worker and machinist. He played several musical instruments, including, fiddle, dulcimer, organ and accordion. He and his wife, Shirley, were married for 67 years.
His love for the Lord was evident through his desire to share the scriptures with others and his determination to broadcast the Good News.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Gayle; and his son, Nathan.
Burl is survived by his wife, Shirley Updyke (nee Britt); children, Merwin (Cindy), Alan (Donna), Duane (Annette), Bryan (Jill) and Janine (Matt); 12 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday from Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home Inc., state Routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek, with the Rev. Dan Brubaker, pastor of Roaring Brook Baptist Church, officiating.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Interment will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Pikes Creek.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to WRGN Radio, 2457 state Route 118, Hunlock Creek, PA 18621.
Condolences can be made to www.clswansonfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Burl Updyke
Sponsored by Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home Inc. - Hunlock Creek.
Karl Schröder
September 11, 2019
Another good one passes... he's with Jesus now for certain.
Love the Band Organ he built!
Thanks, KS
September 10, 2019
We have missed seeing you at band organ rallies. Our sympathies in the passing of Burl. We will miss seeing him and listening to his organ.
Marcia and Bob Ebert
September 10, 2019
Dear Shirley and Family
Our condolences with the passing of Burl,May God Give you peace and comfort today and in the days to come. We will always remember the good times we had at the Rallies.
sincerely Henk and Irene Noordermeer
Burl & Shirley proudly displaying his band organ
Ron Bopp
September 8, 2019
Mary Nallo Jones
September 7, 2019
Dear Shirley and Family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. I have many fond memories when Janine and I were teenagers. May he rest in peace. His work here is done.
September 6, 2019
Dear Loved Ones, My heart is broken,but yet rejoices in knowing that Burl is now in the arms of HIs Savior. Im sure he will be greatly missed,Especially by his dear Shirl.
Pat Gudz
Wendy Saxe
September 6, 2019
Dear Shirl and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Burl's passing. NE PA, the US Virgin Islands, Estonia, and more will forever be positively impacted because of Burl's know-how and persistence and Shirl's support for getting Christian radio on the airwaves. I'm pretty sure we all heard a bit of a hullabaloo coming from Heaven at Burl's homecoming. I'm sure there were MANY waiting to thank him.
I have many memories of Burl, but if I had to boil it down to one it would be something he said one year during Share-a-thon, which was: don't worry about getting cleaned up before you come to Christ--He'll do the cleaning! I'm guessing he hasn't even begun to meet the souls that have been changed, who now reside with our Savior, that are in Heaven because of either something Burl said or orchestrated being heard (like making radio available).
Thank you Burl and Shirley! Shirl, I pray that our faithful and good Lord holds you extra tight as you find your way through this storm.
Susan STephens
September 6, 2019
To The Updyke Family---So sorry to hear of your father's passing. May he RIP and may peace be with you and your family in this time of sadness.
September 6, 2019
So Sorry to hear about Burl's passing. Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
Eddie & Bernice Evarts
September 6, 2019
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
September 6, 2019
So Sorry to hear about Burl's passing.
Eddie & Bernice Evarts
September 6, 2019
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
September 6, 2019
Our condolences to Burl's family; the Updyke and Morris families represent a long history in the Sweet Valley area. I picked strawberries for his dad, Fred, as a kid. Burl and Shirley wisely founded their Christian radio station offshore US and provided spiritual programming to many blessed hearts. Memories will follow.
Dean Long and Family
mike shinko
September 6, 2019
It was on my 60th Birthday, We wanted to play some music at the Main Bean in Luzerne and Burl asked if he could join in with his accordion. Not many people in a band can say they witnessed a lead guitar player Sean Kay saying to an accordion player..."take it away Burl" for an accordion solo!!! Have fun in heaven Burl!
Jean Hillard
September 6, 2019
My love to family on Burls passing, a wonderful man who touched many lives,,he and Shirley hold a special spot in my heart, may God Bless her and family during these difficult times.
rosaline sorber
September 6, 2019
love and prayers.....so very sorry..
Janice Garlish
September 5, 2019
Buryl will be missed in choir. I only knew him for a short time along with Shirley, but both of you were lovely people. Always friendly and Shirley eager to help when needed. You made me feel welcome in choir as well. Your Christian ways from the both of you will long be remembered at Sun N Fun. Prayers. Janice Garlish
Showing 1 - 18 of 18 results
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Memorial Events
for Burl Updyke
Sep
9
Visitation
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home Inc. - Hunlock Creek2386 State Route 118, Hunlock Creek, PA 18621
Sep
10
Funeral service
11:00 a.m.
Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home Inc. - Hunlock Creek2386 State Route 118, Hunlock Creek, PA 18621
Funeral services provided by:
Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home Inc. - Hunlock Creek2386 State Route 118, Hunlock Creek, PA 18621
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