Obituary of Burl Fred Updyke

Burl F. Updyke, age 87 of Sweet Valley, passed away Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at home. He was born in Trucksville on November 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, later known as Suburban News. He and his wife continued this successful venture for twenty 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 PA and a mission's outreach, WIVH, F.M. in St. Croix, U. S. Virgin Islands. These he operated for thirty 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, 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); Twelve grandchildren and twenty-one great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at 11:00 am from the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home, Inc., corner of routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek, with Pastor Dan Brubaker of the Roaring Brook Baptist Church, officiating. Visitation will be from 6:00 - 8:00 PM on Monday at the funeral home. Interment will be in the 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.