- Date Of Death: December 6, 2009
- State: Indiana
Joseph H. Lidy, 80 years young, of Elkhart, died 7:04 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009, at Elkhart General Hospital. He was born in Chicago to Louise (Thorhaggen) and Henry Lidy on July 10, 1929. He married Marie McCabe on Nov. 7, 1953, in Chicago. His wife Marie survives him, together with their four children, Joseph J. (Darlene Baker) Lidy of Goshen, Marie Louise (Allen) Kidder of Elkhart, Kimberly (John) Toothaker of Farmington, Ill., and Steven (Joanna Schultz) Lidy of Elkhart. He is also survived by 10 precious grandchildren; his sister Caroline (John) Mondschean of Evergreen Park, Ill.; five nieces and six nephews and their families.
Mr. Lidy was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Marge Korienek and Josephine Pawl Bradshaw; two brothers who died in infancy; and by six grandchildren who died in infancy. Joseph Lidy was admired by friends and family for his love of life and his insatiable zest for pleasing others. He put family first, last and always in his life. His second love was his exciting career with IBM in Chicago, New York and Michiana area. In 1956, he worked with great pride on a team that produced one of our first large computers; and he continued his ever-changing 42-year career working on leading-edge technology.
He was named “A Volunteer With Heart.” Along with backing from IBM, he installed the first computer lab at ADEC for the blind and visually impaired. Then he volunteered, again with the help of IBM, to install the first computer lab at Sister Virginia’s Basic Adult Education Center in Elkhart. For over 20 years, he supported and worked with various Boy Scout troops, both in Ossining, N.Y., and in Elkhart.
He served eight years with the Illinois National Guard.
