John L. Lane

John L "Papa" Lane, passed away on Friday, August 17, 2018, at the age of 86. He was known for his fierce and unconditional love of his family and friends, who all enjoyed his wonderful stories of the past, his Broadway voice, his caring heart, his stories of the JCC pool, monthly lunches with his friends from St. Marys and his appreciation of pretty girls. He was a fiercely loved father, brother, Papa and friend, and will be greatly missed. His adventurous life began in Nitro, WV where he was born on July 17, 1932. He attended his first year of school in a one-room school house in Fraziers Bottom, WV, moved 14 times, attending 14 schools before finishing up at St Marys in Warren, OH, and Youngstown College. With his fathers permission, he enlisted in the Navy at 17 and was an airman during the Korean War; an experience that cemented his loyalty to his country. He was a patriot to the core. He started working as a child, delivering papers for the Pittsburg Post Gazette, then as an Icemans helper at the age of 11 - and he never stopped. He didnt know the meaning of "I cant." After serving in the Navy, he went to New York to try his hand as an actor and model, appearing in Broadway plays and magazines in the early 1950s. When he tired of the adventures in New York, he returned to the Mahoning Valley, dabbling in iron work, and sales; inventing the Automatic Power Take Off (PTO) unit for the three-point hitch, and designing the Ready Rake, which became the Harley Rake when he sold it. He was owner-operator of Triple S Equipment in Austintown, OH, from 1966 - 1974, and The Buckeye Tool Shed in North Lima, OH, until his retirement. He took to the skies in January of 1990 when he achieved his lifelong dream of becoming a pilot. He was also a member of many organizations over the years; including, the DAV (Disabled American Veterans), where he volunteered regularly helping those in need - even when he was too tired to help himself. He was greeted in heaven by his father, Guy Elliott Lane, mother, Alberta Persinger, brothers Guy Elliott, Jr., and Eugene Thomas, sisters Betty Jean and Rosemary, many friends and his beloved son John "Buddy". He will be greatly missed by his brother Hugh Malcolm of Arkansas, sister Anita (Chuck) Stapleton, of Maryland; his children Tim (Tammy) of Chardon, OH, Jennifer "Susie" Lane-Riefler of Marion, IN, Michelle "Shelly" Lane of Aurora, CO, Pam "Sam" (Phil) Babuder of Canfield, OH, Jeff "Jeep" of Lowelville, OH; his 16 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, who he affectionately referred to as his co-pilots; his cousins, nieces, nephews, and more friends than we could ever keep track of. Per his wishes, Papas life will be celebrated on September 1, 2018, from 1-5pm at the home of his daughter Pam; with full military honors at 2pm. All who knew and loved him are welcome to join us to share memories, photos, stories, and food. For details on the celebration, please contact one of his children or call his cell phone. If you wish to honor him in any way, please consider giving to your local D.A.V. or paying his kindness forward and help someone in need, befriend someone who needs a friend, and always remember to "Keep your corners up."