October 19, 1963 – January 18, 2023
Mark Henry Dykhuis 59 years old, died January 18, 2023 at home, looking into his wife Marleen Dykhuis eyes with peace and awe, after a short aggressive fight with Cancer. “Never a dull moment with Mark”, always known for making people laugh; silly or absurd, informative, or controversial; Mark had extensive knowledge of world history and geography, sports statistics especially baseball and amazing facts of trivia.
Mark grew up in Glen Rock, NJ, and he enjoyed reconnecting and bantering on Facebook with his neighborhood, school and baseball friends and their parents. Lifelong friends Ed Lauterbach, Danny Dooner, Jeff Freier.
Mark loved baseball and playing as a kid he was a superstar pitcher and every team wants a tall, handsome, left-handed first baseman! A life-long NY Yankees fan, and then our hometown Tampa Bay Rays season ticket fan for the last 6 years.
Mark was a US Army Veteran and proud of his service. He did basic training at Fort Bliss, El Paso, TX, was stationed in Wildflecken, West Germany, Multichannel Communication Team Chief HAWK Air Defense Battalion with NATO mission, Honduras and Fort Gordon, GA. Solider of the Year Award in 1983 & 1984, and medically retired in 1989. Mark then went to St Thomas, US Virgin Island in 1989 to see his adoptive parents, George
and Mother Amalia Morrissey and lived there for 27 years. He worked at AT&T of the Virgin Islands, ITT Navy Radar Range, TSA US Department of Transportation, and IGY Yacht Haven Grande Marina.
Mark loved swimming at Magen’s Bay and playing golf with Murph and the guys in St Thomas, and then Sib’s for One. In his retirement in St Petersburg, FL, Mark enjoyed driving his 1987 El Camino, nature/bird photography, kayaking, walking/hiking at parks especially Fort Desoto, bicycle riding up to 30 miles, golf, home landscaping and attending TB baseball, hockey and football games. An Avid reader, Mark read his grandfather’s collection of all 20 Charles Dickens books, twice! He also loved traveling or cruising, Italy, Greece, Spain, France, England, Netherlands, Caribbean, Central America, Niagara Falls, Mammoth Caves, Maquoketa Caves and Alaska with Doc & Doris. Mark is survived by his wife of 26 years, his soulmate Marleen Dykhuis, proceeded in death by father Henry Dykhuis, survived by Stepmother Luella Dykhuis, Brother David Dykhuis (Gail), Nephew Scott Dykhuis (Kathleen), Roslynn & Regan Dykhuis, Brother Paul Dykhuis (Sharon), Niece Katelyn Dykhius, Brother John Dykhuis (Merri), Sister Carolyn Berger Edwards, Nephews Cole & Casey Berger, Daughter Alisha Fisher (John), Granddaughter Emma Fisher, Aunts/Uncles Elizabeth Dykhuis Gionti (dec’d) (Art), Irene Dykhuis Card (Arnold), Cousins Adrian Card (Peter), Irene Branson (Ed), Linda Gionti, Betsy Card Chandler (Terry), Silas Branson, Kate Branson, Katie Chandler, Mother Marcia Fair. Best man Kimba (Jenine) Rabsatt. In-laws David & Arleen Banowetz, Mark & Shari Banowetz, Laureen & Paul Thill, Stephanie & Richard Carbon, Tyler Craig (dec’d), Meggan & Chris Nodine, Brian & Kathy Banowetz, Christopher Banowetz, Nicole & Kevin Donohue, Kaylee, Nolan, Nathan, Khloe, Nicholas Donohue, Alexis Mariconda, Aleta Mariconda, April & Kevin May, Alan & Kathleen Mariconda, Virgil & Diane Banowetz, Bernadette & Ken Siebert, Anne & Bill (dec’d) Crooks. And other family and friends.
MONDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2023
MEMORIAL SERVICE 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at War Veterans’ Memorial Park, 9600 Bay Pines Boulevard, St. Petersburg, Florida 33708 Pavilion #5 (Reserved all day). Time to share memories, read memories sent, light lunch. (YouTube LINK for LIVE STREAMED VIDEO https://youtube.com/live/66YwxUsLjAU?feature=share
VIDEO RECORDED). Plenty of parking, bathroom near.
At 1:00 pm proceed to Bay Pines National Cemetery, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33708.
MILITARY FUNERAL HONORS CEREMONY: be there by 1:45pm, park in circle drive, procession car will lead to pavilion starts promptly at 2:00 pm, Immediately after procession to COMMITTAL GRAVE SITE SERVICE all must be completed by 2:30 pm. YouTube LINK for LIVE STREAMED VIDEO https://youtube.com/live/TG1uXXywR1o?feature=share
Video will be recorded and saved for future viewing.
5:00 pm will pick a restaurant for those who would like to have dinner/sunset.
DONATIONS graciously accepted to support Youth Sports may be made at Rays Baseball Foundation 501c the official charity of the TB Rays at https://raysbaseballfoundation.givingfuel.com/rays-baseball-foundation-general-donation CHECK BOX: Give in memory of: Mark Dykhuis
Mark was a gentle soul and always good for a smile. It’s been a while since I have seen him but we did char from time to time and I will miss him.
I enjoyed reconnecting with him on Facebook and had some nice chats. I enjoyed photographs he took while on vacation or while out on an adventure. I will miss my interaction with him. RIP Mark.
The obituary is a wonderful tribute to Mark’s life and the impact he had on others lives,and is beautifully written. I feel as if I knew Mark, but sadly did not ever meet him. I know Marleen and miss her,and I do regret not meeting Mark as I always thought I would make it to Florida soon but did not in time to meet him. I have enjoyed the annual letters so thoughtfully sent at Christmas, telling of Mark and Marleen’s adventures together throughout the year. I feel as if I knew Mark through them. Marleen, I have kept you and family in my thoughts and prayers since I heard this difficult news of his illness and passing.
With deepest sorrow at the passing of our friend, I’ll think of the great times we spent together,.
Resting piece Mark. Will always remember you