John E. Urban, 78

January 28, 1946 - May 17, 2024

John E. Urban, 78, of East Lampeter Township, passed away at Lancaster General Hospital on Friday, May 17, 2024. He was known by many as “Wild Man.”

Born in Lancaster, he was the son of the late George Urban, Sr. and Alma (Getz) Urban.

John shared 27 years of marriage with his wife Vickie J. (Markley) Urban.

Over the years, John worked at Smoketown Foundry, doing construction for E & G. Concrete, maintenance at Rockvale Outlet, and maintenance at Kitchen Kettle Village. In retirement mowed several neighbors lawns on his John Deere tractor.

John rode dirt bikes and motorcycles, and always drove a Chevy truck. He liked to modify his machinery to make them loud. “Wild Man” came from his CB handle, which stuck for life.

John and Vickie enjoyed pop-up camping at Muddy Run. He loved the outdoors and animals, especially wolves. Not one to sit idle, John could always be found tinkering and working with his hands.

In addition to wife Vickie, John’s family includes two sons, Mark Urban of Ephrata, Matthew Urban (Jesse) of Columbia; three stepchildren, Robert E. Sheaffer, Jr. (Amy) of Pequea, Lisa Leamy of Paradise, and Dorothy Johnson of Quarryville; 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; his fox terrier Bandit; and seven siblings, George Urban, Jr. (Maggie), Bob Urban (Wanda), Bill Urban (Fran), Jean Kaufman (John), Cecelia Gillenwater (Dave), Richard Urban, and Arlene Rittenhouse.

A viewing will take place from 10 to 11 am on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, 414 East King Street, PA 17602. Interment will follow in Riverview Burial Park.