John W. Lorberg, 75, of Gordonville passed away Tuesday, April 9, 2013, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Sept. 13, 1937, in Gordonville, son of Walter and Edna Sander Lorberg. He and Ellen Birk were married Dec. 9, 1962, at Concordia Lutheran Church in Sikeston, Mo.

John attended Gordonville grade school and was a 1955 graduate of Jackson High School. In 1960, he earned a bachelor's degree in education from Southeast Missouri State University.

He joined the U.S. National Guard in 1955.

John was a lifelong member of Christ Lutheran Church in Gordonville, where he was an elder, Sunday school superintendent, and held various positions on committees and boards.

John was an innovative farmer, farming the Century Farms for the Lorberg and Birk families in Gordonville and Tilsit areas. He and his son and grandson created the JJT Tileing Co., which specializes in crop irrigation.

He was a member of Jackson School Board for 13 years, Jackson Foundation Board, Advisory Board for Gordonville Fire Department, Advisory Agriculture Board at Southeast Missouri State University, Gibson Center Board in Cape Girardeau and Gideons International Cape Camp.

He was instrumental in founding the St. Louis Iron Mountain and Southern Railroad in Jackson, and local Civil War re-enactments. He was a strong supporter of Heart for Africa and Dig Deep Water Wells, and an advocate of Amen Center Homeless Shelter in Delta.

In addition to his wife of 50 years, loving survivors include; a son, Jeffrey (De Ann) Lorberg of Gordonville; a daughter, Sarah (Todd) Schumacher of St. Louis; four grandchildren, Leah Lorberg, Tyler (Katie) Lorberg, Laramie Lorberg and Logan Schumacher; a brother, Jerry (Barbara) Lorberg of Gordonville; two sisters, Joan (Joe) Battle of Gordonville and Janet (Leonard) Fiedler of Shawneetown; two aunts, Ruth (Harvey) Nischwitz of Gordonville and Blanche Schafer of Fayette, Mo.; and an uncle, Ralph (Jean) Sander of Denver.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Friends may call from 3:30 to 8 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. until service time Friday at Christ Lutheran Church.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the church, with the Rev. Gary Hoffstetter officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery, with the Rev. Jim Matthews officiating at the graveside committal service.

McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Christ Lutheran Church Building Fund; Amen Center Homeless Shelter, P.O. Box 159, Delta, MO; or Heart for Africa.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.