Jim Lyberger passed away peacefully at his home on May 9, 2023 after a short battle with cancer.
Jim was a man who fully enjoyed life; he believed in working hard and playing hard. He was born on March 17, 1931 in Johnstown, PA to Albert and Matilda Lyberger, the second of two sons. He joined the U. S. Air Force at age 18, was trained in radio mechanics, spent a year in Korea during the Korean War (where he was often under fire as a forward observer), and was honorably discharged in December, 1953. He went to work for Bell Aircraft in Buffalo, NY. On a blind date he met Evelyn Fry, and they married in 1954.
He and Evelyn moved several times as he took different jobs over the course of the next several years, finally settling in California when he joined Lockheed Missile & Space in Sunnyvale in 1963. Together they had five children, the last born in 1965, who sadly died in infancy. Jim and his family moved to the Wetherbee neighborhood southwest of Manteca on July 4th, 1969, and he lived there the rest of his life. Evelyn died in a car accident in 1976. After a 6 year courtship, Jim married Mildred (Millie) Seidner in August, 1984 and they had
many adventurous years together. Jim retired from his job at Lockheed in 1986 and embarked on new careers as owner of the Islander Tavern for 13 years and as a woodworker and cabinet maker into his eighties, building amazing custom furniture and cabinets. Jim was a member of the VFW and was also involved in the early establishment of the Manteca Historical Society. Jim and Millie enjoyed traveling all over the U. S. and abroad. Jim especially enjoyed fishing in Alaska and had a long involvement with horse racing. In 1997 their home was a victim of the big flood. Jim tore down the damaged old house he loved and built a new house of his own design. Jim loved hosting parties and for many years, both at his tavern and later at his home, held an annual corned beef and cabbage feed to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and his birthday. He was always ready to lend a hand to help friends and family.
He is predeceased by his parents, his older brother, Jack, his first wife, Evelyn, his sons, Richard and baby Albert, and his daughter, Lisa.
He is survived by his wife Millie, her brother Jack Seidner, his daughter, Lynne (Jerry) Mullins, his son, Robert (Lesley) Lyberger, nine grandchildren; Richard Lyberger, Kenneth (Rachel) Lyberger, Joseph, Marcus (Johanna) Lyberger, Lynnlee (Stephen) Rattan, William Mullins, Jeffrey (Shelby) Mullins, Tessa (Vincenzo) Mullins, and Robbie Lyberger, and five great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be given in his name to the Manteca Historical Society, Hospice of San Joaquin, or any cancer research or support organization. A Celebration of Life will be held at his home on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Saturday, May 20, 2023
