Althea Pauline Eicher Dyck was the fourth child born to Leland and Hannah Johnson Eicher on January 10, 1927, in rural Gratiot County, Michigan. She passed away at the Oakwood Retirement Community in Brooksville, Mississippi on January 17, 2023, just a week after her ninety-sixth birthday.

She started school in Michigan, then moved with her family at age eight to Summerdale, Alabama where she finished her formal elementary education. She felt the call to salvation and on confession of faith was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. She was faithful to her vows until the end. On April 16, 1950, she was united in marriage to Ben Dyck at Walnut Hill, Florida. They made their home in Hesston, Kansas where they farmed for an occupation. In August of 1957, they moved to Walnut Hill, Florida where they took up pioneer farming and then became involved in dairying. Mom enjoyed teaching Bible School in the summer and volunteering as a "Pink Lady" at the local hospital and nursing home. She also enjoyed the church sewing circle and being on the food committee. She loved the art of quilting, and we remember her giving many quilts away to family and friends.

Mom and Dad were blessed with three sons and two daughters. In 1996, our dad was diagnosed with a brain tumor and soon passed away, leaving mom lonely. However, she was so grateful she could live together with her daughter Shirley for many years. Through the trials of her later life the Bible story of the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment was so special to mom. She expressed that she felt the need to reach out and touch Him many times. She moved to the Oakwood Retirement Community in June of 2020. Her serenity in facing the challenges of her failing health and limited independence was an inspiration to many. She appreciated the friendship, love, and care of the Oakwood family.

Left to cherish loving memories are her children: Judy and Terry Harms of Murray, Kentucky; Carl and Becky Dyck of Bowersville, Georgia; Shirley Dyck of Bowersville, Georgia; Waldo and Janalie Dyck of Lakeville, Ohio; thirteen grandchildren, thirty-nine great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild; special friends: Henry and Polly Hiebert and family of Molino, Florida; Phil and Sondra Giesbrecht and family of Macon, Mississippi; two sisters: Eunice Smith and Imo and Wilbert Peters both of Brooksville, Mississippi; three brothers: William and Lois Eicher, Wallace and Judy Eicher, and Wendell and Mary Eicher, all of Walnut Hill, Florida; sisters-in-law: Dolly Eicher of Brooksville, Mississippi and Loretta Dyck of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; one brother-in-law Bob Mininger of Moundridge, Kansas. She was predeceased by her husband Ben; one son, Michael Dyck; one grandson, Justin Dyck; one great-granddaughter, Betsy Dyck; two brothers, two sisters, five sisters-in-law, and seven brothers-in-law.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Walnut Hill Mennonite Church with Minister Brian Decker, Minister Joseph Dyck and Minister Jamie Wedel officiating.  Interment will follow in Walnut Hill Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Arlen Penner, Ben Lehman, Chelson Dyck, Tye Jantz, Turi Rodriques, Sheldon Toews, Henry Hiebert, Nolan Koehn, Arlin Koehn, Mike Dyck and Jevan Dyck.

Visitation will be held Friday, January 20, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Walnut Hill Mennonite Church.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.