Lyle Van Camp, age 68, passed away peacefully in his sleep to wake up in heaven on December 20, 2024.

Lyle Thomas Van Camp was born on March 8, 1956, to Raymond and Roberta (Newans) Van Camp at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Drayton North Dakota. He grew up in Drayton, graduating from Drayton Public School with honors in 1974. He then attended the University of North Dakota, graduating from the Honors Program in 1979 with a major in History. In 1982, he returned to UND and completed his Religious Studies Major.

Lyle grew up helping on the family farm, was the "Lawn Care Manager," and was one of the owners of Van Camp Antiques during the 1970s. After graduating from UND, he returned to Drayton and, with his mother, opened the Emporium, a furniture and antiques store. In 1980, they added working for Ness Press, of Fordville, ND, helping with the Drayton Express newspaper. On April 1, 1982, Lyle and Roberta started Valley News & Views, a weekly newspaper serving the city of Drayton. He served as editor and eventually Publisher/Editor.

In 1982, he accepted a position as a rural mail carrier substitute at the Drayton Post Office, which began a 36-year career that included positions as a rural substitute, rural carrier, clerk, officer in charge, and postmaster. He worked in the Drayton, St. Thomas, Oslo, Alvarado, Kennedy, Neche, and Pembina post offices, retiring as postmaster at Drayton in 2018.

In 2007, he sold Valley News & Views to concentrate on his postal career. His wife, Lesa, purchased the paper in 2014, and Lyle helped out with advertising sales and photography, resuming writing his weekly column, Looking Down Main. In 2019, he started a new adventure, working at Drayton Public School as a paraprofessional.

In 2000, while waiting for the parade to start at Riverfest, he ran into Lesa Torrey Delka. On August 18, 2001, the two were married. At this time, he gained three wonderful children, Samuel, Cathryn, and Benjamin.

Lyle lived his entire life in Drayton and was a lifelong member of Drayton United Methodist Church, where he served at various times as youth leader, Sunday School Teacher, Bible School teacher, as well as a board member and PPR committee member. He also served on the National Board of Church and Society. He accepted Christ as his savior as a youth at a Dave Wilkerson Crusade in Grafton, ND.

He served as an EMT on the Drayton Ambulance Service, was a member of the Drayton Fire Department, and a member of The Drayton Community Chamber of Commerce, where he served in various positions, including Trade Extension Committee Chairman and President. He also served on the Drayton Ambulance Service Board, Drayton Cemetery Association Board, Drayton Jaycees, the Drayton Knights Community Service Club, the North Dakota Newspaper Association, and the Pembina County Library Board. Lyle and Lesa were members of the Valley Cruisers car club.

As a youth, Lyle participated in the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and United Methodist Youth Fellowship. He enjoyed photography, genealogy, bicycling, sailing, scuba diving, antiques, old garden tractors, old cars and trucks, and reading as hobbies. His greatest joy was watching his children participate in sports and other school events.

Lyle is survived by his wife, Lesa; children, Samuel (Tavery), Cathryn (Corey) Boyle, Benjamin, and adopted daughter Jamie (Matt) Rarick; grandchildren, Brenton, Zachary, Kylie, Ashlinn, Salem, Andrew, Joey, Jonah, Ruth, and Caleb; a sister, Mary Reed (Art); two brothers, Michael (RaeAnne) and John (Patti); mothers-in-law, Nancy (Mitch) Hogg and Dianne Torrey; brothers-in-law, John (Krysti) Torrey and Michael (Tara) Torrey; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends.

Lyle was preceded in a death by his mother, Roberta, father, Raymond, father-in-law, Gary; granddaughter, Calla Rarick; and nephews, Jeffrey Steenerson and Andrew Torrey.

A memorial service will be held at the Drayton Public School on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. Visitation will be held at the school for an hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Drayton Cemetery Association, Drayton Fire Department, Drayton Ambulance Association, or other charitable organization of your choice.