Herbert Dye, Sr.

Herbert "Herby" Marshall Dye, Sr., of Dan’s Rock Road, Midland passed away Friday, October 22, 2010, at the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center surrounded by his family.

Born, October 23, 1923, he would have celebrated his 87 ^th birthday on Saturday. Herb was the son of the late Herbert Wilbert and Ruth J. (Miller) Dye.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife of 54 years, June D. (Hausrath) Dye in 1997. In addition, preceding him in death was his sister Mildred (Dye) Turner, Tom Dye, a sister-in-law, Alverta (Morgan) Dye, and a stepdaughter, Kay (Colmer) Brown.

Herb was a member of the first graduating class of the new Beall High School in 1941. He served with the U. S. Marine Corps in the Panama Canal Zone during World War II. Upon his return, he returned to work at the Celanese for a total 10 years service before going to work for the Kelly- Springfield Tire Company. While at Kelly-Springfield, he was active with United Rubber Workers Local 26 where he held numerous chairmanships. He retired from the Kelly-Springfield Tire Company as a supervisor in the Mill Room in 1985 after more than 35 years. Many of those years were spent working alongside his brother Rick. Herb was an avid Baltimore Oriole fan as well as a fan of any team who could beat those “damn Yankees”. Republican by choice, Herb would discuss political issues with anyone willing to listen, especially his grandson. He was an avid reader and enjoyed many “best-sellers” in his spare time. His days were spent working outdoors cutting wood or finding any project that kept him outside, busy, and active. For years, he loved to till the soil and planted an annual harvest assisted by his Gravely tractor which he found tough enough to work the rocky ground that he planted.  His integrity and humor will be remembered for generations.

He was a life- long member of the Grace United Methodist Church in Midland, serving on many committees in a leadership capacity and as a lay speaker through the years. His influence and presence will be missed. Through his formative years, he had participated in boy scouts and helped re-establish Troop 65, Boy Scouts of America in Midland back in the 60’s with the church’s sponsorship.

Herb is survived by his wife of 12 years, Betty (Miller) Colmer Dye and by his four children, Carol Ann, and husband Ray Robertson, Midland, Judy, and husband Vernon Green, Lonaconing, Herbert, Jr., and wife Mary Jane(Trenum),Frostburg, and Tammy, and husband Denny Barclay, Creasptown. He was the proud grandfather of nine grandchildren and two step-grandchildren : Trina Marie(Robertson) and husband Carl Benson, Amy Sue (Robertson) and husband Chuck Clise, Christy Lynn (Green) and husband David Kidwell, Jessica Lynne(Green)and husband Jamie Hamilton, Iain Michael Brown, Abby Sue Barclay, Derek Allen Dye, Kaitlyn Jane Dye and Molly Brown. He was the great-grandfather of ten great-grandchildren: Katie Benson, Ben Benson, Charlie Clise, twins Logen and Landen Hamilton, Grayce Kidwell, Larissa Hamilton, Beth Clise, Lexi Hamilton and Ryleigh Kidwell. His brother Melvin E. (Rick) Dye of Platte City, Missouri, a brother-in-law, Robert Turner, and numerous nieces and nephews also survive Herb.

Pallbearers will be Derek Dye, Carl Benson, Chuck Clise, David Kidwell, Jamie Hamilton, Dave Raynor and Joe Perkins. Honorary Pallbearers will be Herb Dye, Ray Robertson, Vernon Green, Denny Barclay and Jim Raynor.

Friends will be received at the Eichhorn-McKenzie Funeral Home, P.A. in Midland (www.eichhornmckenzie.com) on Monday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. until 7 p.m.. The Rev. Harry Burchell will conduct services at the funeral home on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be held at Frostburg Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the Grace United Methodist Church in Herb’s memory. Send to: Grace United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 15,  Midland MD 21542.