Charles Thomas Surber
September 25, 1938 ~ August 2, 2022
Charles Thomas Surber, 83, of Columbus, passed away Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at Traditions of Columbus. Charles was born in Austin, IN on September 25, 1938 to Bruce and Agnes Surber. During his childhood and youth, Charles was raised by Max and Cleona Surber. He married Dorothy Ann Abner on April 1, 1961.
Charles proudly served in the United States Coast Guard and the Indiana National Guard. He retired from Cummins Engine Company after 33 years of service. After retirement from Cummins, he worked in farming, landscaping and excavating for more than 10 years. Charles was an active member of Memorial Baptist Church serving in many capacities for over 55 years. He was a man that worked hard and played hard with an infectious smile. He never turned away a friend in need or giving a hand to a complete stranger. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and playing softball on his Cummins Softball Team.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 6, 2022 at Memorial Baptist Church, 2320 7th St., Columbus, IN 47201 with Rev. Kristi Jones officiating. Military Honors will be conducted by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard. Calling hours will be from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. Friday, August 5, 2022 at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Private entombment will take place at Garland Brook Cemetery Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, family request memorial contributions may be made to Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne (Put in memo line, Emily Settle Fund) 555 E. Wayne St., Fort Wayne, IN 46802 or through the funeral home.
Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Ann Surber; daughters, Tammy (Bryan) Hanner of Columbus, IN, and Sandy (Mike) Settle of Westfield, IN; grandchildren, Jeremiah Hanner, Cameron Hanner and Paige (Tristan) Palmer; brother, David Gray of Deputy, IN; sisters, Priscilla Sebastian of Scottsburg, IN and Claudette Wooten of Austin, IN.
He was preceded in death by his father, Bruce Surber; mother, Agnes Gray; granddaughter, Emily Settle; and brother, Bruce Surber Jr.
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Charlie’s smile in his picture reminds me of his almost continuous smile. I will never forget his smile and laugh. He was one of the 15 boys in our graduating class of students in 1958 from Austin HS. At the beginning of our junior year he and I were among the 9 boys in our class still on the hs varsity basketball team. He and I were also among the 3 boys in our class that Coach Green called to his office four days prior to Dec 25 and asked us to turn in our varsity uniforms. Reason: To get playing time we played in the junior varsity game and he wanted to make room for at least a couple of sophomores to leave the junior varsity and get some varsity experience before their junior year. This would be more limited if there were nine seniors playing on the varsity during our last year of high school. I still have vivid memories of that day when we were “cut” from the team.
After being “cut” we arranged for members of our class who were not currently playing on high school teams to play a basketball game against players on the freshman and second teams. We were upset when he started the 9th graders against us so we “held the ball” for the entire first quarter and led 2-0 at the end of the quarter on a shot taken just before the buzzer sounded. He then inserted the sophomores but we “has beens” still won. As I recall, the Coach was not pleased with the outcome.
Charlie and I still continued to play baseball or run cross country in the fall and track in the spring after leaving the basketball team during our junior year. [Coach Green also coached cross country and track.] I also started keeping the “shot chart” for home varsity games and sometimes called in the scores after games. After high school graduation, Charlie and I were also in periodic contact with Coach Green as late as a few months before the Coach died several years later.
Charlie will always be remembered by me and everyone in the AHS Class of 1958. We had different personalities but we all respected him.
Phil Cox
AHS Class of 1958
While I didn’t know Charles well, I was always taken by his beautiful smile and friendly personality when I was with the Settle family. I am sure he and Emily have had a beautiful reunion and are basking the presence of Jesus. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Susan Dobbs
Simply Elegant Spathiphyllum was purchased for the family of Charles Thomas Surber.
Charles J. purchased the America the Beautiful for the family of Charles Thomas Surber.
So sorry to hear Charlie passed away. Larry was a good friend of Charlie. We will always miss them. Thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers.
Betty Christman