John Elmer Lane, Jr.

John Elmer Lane, Jr., 79, of Yucaipa, California, died Friday, December 30, 2011 at the VA Hospital in Loma Linda, Ca. He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 59 years, June Evelyn Lane (nee Taluzek). He was the loving father of five children: Debra Kloese of Oak Forest, IL; Gayle Reece of Corona, CA; Kimberly O'Connell of Smyrna, TN; Barbara Lane of Rim Forest, CA; and Craig Lane of Chapel Hill, NC. John was also the proud grandfather of 13 and great grandfather of 11. He is also survived by two sisters. John was born on June 23, 1932 in Chicago, IL, to John Elmer Lane, Sr., and his wife Helen (nee Fuller). He married June Evelyn Taluzek on August 2, 1952 at Beverly Baptist Church in Chicago. John entered the Army on January 17, 1955, and was honorably discharged on January 16, 1957. While raising his family he was employed as a sheet metal worker and was a member of the Sheet Metal Workers International Association, Local 73. He was an active member of Moraine Valley Church of Palos Heights, IL, where he sang in the choir, served as a deacon, and was involved in youth groups. In 1976 John moved to Yucaipa, California, where he served as a camp director for Child Evangelism Fellowship. He was an active member of First Baptist Church and Valley Baptist Church of Yucaipa during this time. In later years john worked as a Realtor, and then retired to travel around the country in a 37 foot motor home with his beloved wife. In retirement he and June also enjoyed traveling to such places as Hawaii, England and Barbados, as well as visiting their children and grandchildren across the country. For the past 11 years John and June lived in Hemet, California, where they attended First Baptist Church of Hemet. Services for John Elmer Lane, Jr. will be held on Friday January 6, 2012 at Emmerson Bartlett Memorial Chapel, 35208 Yucaipa Blvd, Yucaipa, California from 2:00-4:00 PM. Burial will be in Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, California on Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be sent to the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System, 11201 Benton St, Loma Linda, CA 92357. "Donation in the memory of John E. Lane, Jr." should be written on the comment line of the check. The Lane family thanks their loved ones and friends for the expressions of love and support during this time.