John Ford Summerville

John Ford Summerville, age 87 of Knox, passed away Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at his home after a sudden illness.

Born June 12, 1939 in St. Petersburg, he was the son of the late John Addison Summerville, DVM, and Sarah Leona Ritts Summerville.

John graduated in 1957 from St. Petersburg-Richland Consolidated High School and continued his education earning a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Clarion State College, a Master of Science in Science Teaching degree from Western Reserve University and completed continuing education classes at Cornell University.

He was a well-respected chemistry and physics teacher and spent the first two years of his career at Smethport High School. He then spent two years at Clarion Area High School and finished out his teaching years at Keystone High School, retiring in 2002 after 37 years with the district.

During his teaching years, John also worked construction and was a chemist for Knox Glass.

He married his high school sweetheart, the former Velma Jean Shaw, on October 13, 1961, and she preceded him in death on October 3, 2019.

John and Velma were the parents of three children: John A. Summerville and his wife, Nola, of Cary, North Carolina; Sharon A. Standish and her husband, Gerald, of Knox, and an infant daughter, Marcie Lynn Summerville, who preceded them in death. 

Surviving are six grandchildren: Andy Summerville, Cassie Suber and her husband, Sam, and Vivan Summerville, all of Cary, North Carolina; Paul Summerville and his wife, Melissa, and Ethan Summerville and his wife, Rebecca, all of Holly Springs, North Carolina, and Noah Standish of Knox.  A great grandson, Dean Summerville of Holly Springs, North Carolina also survives.

John was a longtime member of the Knox United Methodist Church, Knox Lions Club, and Edenburg Masonic Lodge #550 of Knox.

He enjoyed making furniture, clocks and gifts in his basement woodshop, making clocks for each of his grandchildren. He also did clock repairs.

John loved spending time with his grandchildren, bicycling on the trails and fishing.

The Knox Lions Club held a farewell service for Lion Summerville at 1:45 p.m., Friday, and the Edenburg Masonic Lodge #550 conducted a Masonic service for their departed brother at 5:30 p.m., Friday, October 2, 2026, at the Knox United Methodist Church, 9729 Route 338, Knox.

Family and friends were received from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., Friday, October 2, 2026 from 10-11 a.m., Saturday, October 3, 2026 in the church with funeral services held at 11 a.m.   Reverend Wade Barto, church pastor, will officiate.

Interment took place in the St. Petersburg Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in the name of John Ford Summerville to Knox United Methodist Church, 9729 Route 338, Knox, PA 16232 or Trans World Radio, 300 Gregson Drive, Cary, North Carolina 27511.

Arrangements are under the direction of the William N. Rupert Mortuary, Inc. of Knox.

Online condolences may be sent to John’s family at www.rupertfuneralhomes.com