Jo Ann Surber

Jo Ann Surber, 79 of Beardstown, died Thursday, July 7, 2022 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.

She was born June 25, 1943 in Moline, the daughter of Richard and Irma Elizabeth Withrow Strohman. She married Caroll Eades in 1965 and they later divorced. She then married Ellsworth “Buzz” Surber on June 19, 1993 and he preceded her in death on March 26, 2014.

She is survived by three children Scott Douglas (wife Michelle) Eades of Springfield, Bryan Lee (wife Kim) Eades of Pensacola, FL, and Debra Sue (husband Perry) Crowley of Jacksonville; eight grandchildren Emily, Addison, Stephen, Jessica, Hannah, Kaitlin, Lauren, and Josh; five great grandchildren Kylie, Nathan, Carter, Jace, and Parker; one sister Betty Jean (deceased husband Arthur) Wallgren of Hooppole; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a sister Patricia Trowbridge, and a brother Paul Strohman.

Jo Ann graduated from Annawan High School in the class 1961 and later received her Bachelor’s Degree from Illinois State University and earned her Master’s Degree from Western Illinois University. She was a special education teacher who taught for over 35 years in numerous locations including Dundee and Jacksonville. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Beardstown and was a longtime Sunday school teacher. Jo Ann served as a Girl Scout leader for her daughter’s troop. She spent many hours volunteering at New Salem and played numerous different folk instruments. Jo Ann arranged two CD’s: Promises, Prayers, and Praise and At Another Time, and published her own book. Her gifts for life were greatly shared with all those who had the pleasure of knowing Jo Ann.

Memorial services will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at First United Methodist Church in Beardstown. Private family burial will be held at a later date. The family will meet with friends one hour prior to the services at the church. Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials have been suggested to First United Methodist Church or Shriner’s Hospitals for Children. Condolences may be left online at www.colwellmemorialhome.com or on Facebook at Colwell Memorial Home.