Mark Earl Lyon of Newberry died on July 8 2015. He was born on November 1 1952 in Toledo Iowa to G. Joe Lyon and Norma Duffield Stong Lyon. There will be a celebration of his life with a Mass of Christian Burial held at 11:00 AM Saturday July 11 2015 at St. Marks Catholic Church. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday July 10 2015 from 6:00 until 7:30 PM at Whitaker Funeral Home. The Rosary will be prayed at 4:30 PM on Friday at St. Mark's Catholic Church. He was a beloved husband father and friend and had been blessed by the prayers visits phone calls and support of many during his illness. Mark graduated from South Tama County High School in 1970 where he was active in band and drama club. He graduated from Iowa State University in 1974 with a degree in Dairy Science. While in college he worked full time and participated in the colleges jazz band marching band and was an active member of the Dairy Science Club and dairy judging team. He was member of Farm House Fraternity. On June 2 1973 Mark married Bonnie Hill. They are the proud parents of Joshua Samantha and Rachel who he loved beyond measure each and every day. Mark loved the jersey cow. He moved to Newberry in 1974 to work for Charlie McGinnis to learn about working on a large dairy farm. He planned to stay a few years and return to Iowa. Mark operated Lyon Odyssey Farm and was proud of contributing to the world through dairy farming until his illness forced him to retire in 2013. He took great pride in producing quality milk which he considered to be a heathy product for consumers and helping farmers across the community. He also worked for DHIA. He raised chickens as a hobby. As a member of St. Marks Catholic Church he enjoyed teaching first communion classes being a member of the supper club and serving as a reader. Mark had been active with the Newberry Community Players through his acting in numerous plays and serving as board secretary. He also served in several positions with the South Carolina Jersey Cattle Club. Because of his love for music and singing he participated in the Music Quartet in Columbia and with other Barbershop Quartets in competition. Mark is survived by his wife of 42 years his children and their spouses Joshua and Shannon Lyon Samantha and Thad Werts Rachel and Jay Matuszak his grandchildren Jami and Zoey Matuszak (Rachel) and Gabriel and Emma Lyon (Josh) and an adopted grandson Mac Werts; his father G. Joe Lyon; His siblings and their spouses Emily (George) Hansen Eric (Theresa) Lyon Michelle (Tim) Juhl Valerie Lyon Lori (John) Hartman Kurt (Jane) Lyon Doug Lyon(Steve Loucks) and a sister-in-law Kathy Lyon. Mark was predeceased by his mother and a brother Greg Lyon. Memorials may be made to the Russell-Malnati Scholarship c/o American Jersey Cattle Association 6486 E. Main St. Reynoldsburg Ohio 43068 or St. Marks Catholic Church 928 Boundary St. Newberry SC 29108. Please share your memories or condolences at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com Whitaker Funeral Home of Newberry is assisting the family.