Earl Lane

Graveside services for Earl Lane, 80, of Jefferson will be 10:30 a.m. May 28, at Greenbrier Township Cemetery, Greene County. Friends may call at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Jefferson from 9:00 am to 10:00 a.m. May 28.

Earl Edward Lane, son of Thomas Boston Lane and Erma Caroline Wagner Lane, was born November 13, 1933 in Jefferson. He passed away, May 23, at the Greene County Medical Center Long-term in Jefferson at the age of 80 years.

Earl was a very unique individual. He overcame a lot of adversity in his life. Born blind, with will power and some special glasses he was able to learn to walk and ride a bike. He was raised on a farm north of Jefferson and helped his father with some of the work until his parents retired to Jefferson.  He loved the outdoors, loved to fish and he had a special love for his bicycle.  He loved to read and when he was no longer able to do that he enjoyed talking books and music.

Earl was educated in country school through the 8th grade. He had a fantastic memory. Once he was told something he never forgot it. Earl had a great love of tractors, and his collection of small tractors can still be seen today at the Jefferson Museum. He also had a love of stuffed animals and to talk about his journeys on his bicycle.  He traveled many miles on his bicycle using the streets of Jefferson.

Earl lived with his parents until they went to the nursing home and then he moved to Adams Court. He later moved to Cedar Lane Estates once he was no longer able to stay alone. In 2004, he became a resident at the Greene County Long-term. He enjoyed keeping track of his nieces and nephews and also his great nieces and nephews, often remembering dates that their mothers forgot.
Earl was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers-in-law; and a niece.  He is survived by his two sisters:  Glennie Sayre of Jefferson, and Lessie Sloan of Jefferson; two half-sisters:  Doris Rather of Jefferson and Virginia Roper of Lohrville; numerous nieces and nephews; other relatives; and friends. Slininger Rossow Funeral Home www.sliningerrossowfuneralhome.com, 515-386-2171.