James Burton Lydic, 67, of Marion Center, passed away on Sunday, May 21, 2017, at his home after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in 1950, in Indiana, a son of Clifford W. (Jack) and Wynona (Steffy) Lydic.

On January 19, 1973, he married his best friend and love of his life, Dianna Thompson who survives. Jim's greatest love was his family. Jim and Diane were nearly inseparable and enjoyed spending evenings with family and friends. He worked side by side for many years with his son, Michael, on their family dairy farm. His grandchildren meant the world to him and he spent countless hours with them at the Indiana County Fair showing animals and drinking milkshakes. He could often be heard offering to buy the grandkids a milkshake so long as they brought one back for him. He enjoyed attending every activity his grandchildren were involved in. When it came to his grandchildren, he never told them no. Jim was a great listener and could easily talk to anyone.

Jim was a 1968 graduate of the Marion Center Area School District, a past President of the Indiana County Dairy Promotion, a member of the Pennsylvania Milk Board, Marion Center FFA advisory board, and a member and an elder of the Washington Presbyterian Church. Until the time of his cancer diagnosis, Jim was a water truck driver for Penn Mechanical Group.

He was the loving father of Michael and Jennifer Lydic.

In addition to his wife, Jim is survived by his son Michael and daughter-in-law, Melanie, his four grandchildren - Michaela Jennifer, Carter William, Clare Elizabeth and Carlie James, his brother Jack and his wife, Margaret, of McMurray, two sisters - Margaret Lydic and husband, Norman Uber, of Carlisle, and Debra Zbur and husband Ed, of Indiana, his brothers-in-law - Richard Lee (Patricia) and Kenneth Mottorn (Susan), numerous nieces and nephews, his lifelong friend, Don Lightcap and special friends, Ron and Linda Park.

He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Jennifer Lynn, on September 6, 1992, his parents, his sister, Patricia Lee and his sister Susan Mottorn.

Friends will be received on Tuesday, May 23, 2017, from 2-4 and 6-9 at the Bowser Minich Funeral Home and on Wednesday, May 24, 2017, from 10:00-11:00 at the Marion Center First United Methodist Church. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at the church with Pastor Carl White officiating. Interment will be in the Marion Center Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the organization of the donor's choice.

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