John Surber Obituary
John Howard Surber, age 94 of Lakeland, passed away on January 18, 2026.
He was born November 7, 1931, in New York, NY. He moved to Lakeland from Chicago in 1976 while employed with International Minerals & Chemical Corporation. He was married to his high school sweetheart Ernestine Hackney, in Nashville, TN on September 18, 1954. They lived in Nashville TN, Alexandria, VA, Louisville KY, Chicago IL, Evergreen CO, prior to moving to Lakeland.
He was a member of the U.S. Army Reserve and was honorably discharged in the rank of Captain. He competed in the National Rifle Matches, as a member of the Second Army Rifle Team and the All-Army Rifle Team. He was awarded the Distinguished Rifleman Badge and earned a coveted tab from the President’s 100 Match.
He received a Bachelor of Engineering Degree from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of Chicago.
During his business career he held numerous responsible engineering and management positions with Federal Chemical Company (div. of National Distillers) and International Mineral & Chemical corporation. He was a past Director of the Fertilizer Industry Roundtable and a member of the Technical Advisory Committee of Florida Institute of Phosphate Research. He authored numerous papers which were presented at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and American Chemical Society local and national meetings.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Lakeland and served on several committees and was a long time Treasurer of the Vanguard Sunday School class.
He was a proud Kiwanian as a member of the Citrus Center Kiwanis Club.
He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Ernestine, four children: Valerie (Tony) Riverton, UT, Todd (Tina) Lakeland, FL, Mark Leyte Philippines, Kathy Scotville, MI. Ten grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.
Memorial service will be held on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 1 pm in the sanctuary at First United Methodist Church, 72 Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland, FL 33801.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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