James Roy “Jim” Ludwick, F.D., 72, retired Kutztown and Topton, PA funeral home owner, of Greenwich Township, Berks County, died Friday, January 16, 2025, in Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest, Salisbury Township. He was the long-time companion of Eileen M. “E.J.” Gleason.
Born on May 9, 1953, in Fountain Hill, PA, James was a son of the late Roy J. and Beverly M. (Marshall) Ludwick. Jim was a member of Saint Paul’s United Church of Christ Church, Kutztown, where he formerly served on the Property and Finance Committees; and was a former member of Christ U.C.C. Church, Bethlehem. He was a 1971 graduate of Liberty High School, Bethlehem; Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA; and Simmons School of Mortuary Science, Syracuse, NY.
Jim began his career in funeral service at the age of 16 and was employed by several Bethlehem area funeral homes and served his professional internship at the Wallace M. Long Funeral Home, Bethlehem. He received his funeral director’s license in 1977 and worked as a funeral director at the Lester S. Pearson Funeral Home, Bethlehem. While attending Penn State, Jim worked for Koch Funeral home in State College.
In 1981, Jim became a partner of Earl A. Trexler Funeral Home in Topton, PA, with Earl A. Trexler. In January, 1986, James became the sole proprietor of Trexler-Ludwick Funeral Homes in Topton and Kutztown, after having acquired the Fritz Funeral Home on Noble Street in Kutztown in 1982. In October 1990, James began construction on a new funeral home facility located on Greenwich Street in Kutztown, after seeing the need for a much larger space for the community to gather. He renamed the funeral home to Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., and was honored to serve many families over the years. Jim remained active in the funeral home until his retirement from funeral service in December 2021. His commitment to honoring life and providing solace and empathy in times of grief will be eternally cherished by those who knew him.
Professionally, Jim was a past President and member of Berks County Funeral Directors Association, member of National Funeral Directors Association, Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association and Eastern Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association. He was also a member of Bethlehem Lodge #283, F.&A.M, and served in several offices of the former Bethlehem and Kutztown Jaycees. A passionate golfer, Jim was a former member of Brookside Country Club of Allentown; Blue Ridge Country Club, Slatington; and Grenelefe Country Club, Haines City, FL. Jim was also a member of Gamma Phi chapter of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity while he attended Penn State.
In addition to his long-time companion Eileen, Jim is survived by two daughters, Amy M. Ludwick, Sacramento, CA; and Beth A. (Ludwick), wife of Dale A. Duncan, Dayton, OH; and two grandsons, Jayden and Carson Duncan. Other survivors include a brother, Thomas M., husband of Susan M. (Kohoutek) Ludwick, Bonita Springs, FL; and their family.
At Jim’s request, a private funeral service will be held in his former funeral home in Kutztown, PA, officiated by his close friend, The Rev. Arthur L. Hahn. Interment will follow in Bethlehem Memorial Park, Bethlehem, PA. A public celebration of life to honor and celebrate Jim’s life will be held at a later date.
The family requests contributions be made in Jim’s memory to Moravian University c/o Roy and Beverly Ludwick Scholarship Fund, 1200 N. Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018.
Ludwick Funeral Homes and Cremation Care, Inc., Kutztown and Topton, PA, is in charge of arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting Jim’s obituary tribute page at www.Ludwickfh.com.