Lydia U. Marvin

Lydia Unibell Marvin, 95, Monticello, died peacefully on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017 at 11:32 a.m with her loving daughter, Lorna Swartz, by her side at IU White Memorial Hospital.Lydia (pronounced Lyda) lived a good, long, healthy, happy life, and everyone who knew her would probably agree that she was a friendly, happy soul. And that would make her glad.Lydia was born Sept. 9, 1921, in Idaville, to Lester Geisler and Jenny Marie "Mary" Schriefer. Her mother died before Lydia was old enough to know her, and she was raised by her aunt/stepmother, Alma Schriefer.Lydia graduated from Idaville High School in 1940, married Francis M. "Francie" Marvin Oct. 12, 1940, and raised baby daughter Lorna alone while Francie was away in the Navy during WWII.Lydia was a life-long farm girl who helped raise the corn, beans, dairy cows, horses, hogs, chickens, dogs, peacocks, and barn cats. She cooked barrels of chicken and noodles and mashed potatoes, steeped oceans of sweet tea, baked a trillion calories of cakes and pies, made endless trips to the field to take cookies and tea to Francie, and kept the house immaculately clean. She was an active member of Oak Grove Christian Church and volunteered for many years at the White County Food Pantry and Hospital Auxiliary. She was a good worker.Lydia loved to be with people, especially when they were laughing and being silly. She also loved seeing the beautiful blue sky, the sun rise at the breakfast table, and the big white moon in the dark sky. She often wondered why things are the way they are, and she counted anything that could be counted. She loved the spring blossoms on her century-old lilac and magnolia trees, hunting mushrooms, picking raspberries, fishing for blue gill, playing a lucky hand of cards, square dancing, birds, butterflies, pumpkin pie, and being with people. Always being with people.Lydia is survived by her daughter, Lorna (William) Swartz, Monticello; her granddaughter Kelly (Tony) Bell, Carnation, Washington; grandson Andy Swartz, West Lafayette; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.Lydia was preceded in death by her dear father, mother, and stepmother, her loving husband, and her 10 brothers and sisters, whom she thought of often, sitting in their places around the big kitchen table as kids. Now Lydia is in heavens kitchen with her whole family, dancing with Francie to Granddads violin.Visitation is Thursday at 2 p.m. and memorial service at 4 p.m. at Springer-Voorhis-Draper Funeral Home, 202 S. Illinois Street, Monticello. Everyone is welcome to share favorite memories of Lydia during the memorial. Burial will follow at Idaville Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Oak Grove Christian Church or the White County Food Pantry.Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be extended at www.springerfuneralhome.com