Rev. John Lane of La Plata, Maryland, passed from this life on December 20th, at 6:45 a.m. He died of pancreatic cancer, having been diagnosed in October of 2011. We thank God that he did not suffer any pain.

He actively served the Church as a Pastor for 52 years. His first church in Maryland was St. Andrew's of Capitol Heights, moving to Largo, it was renamed St. Michael's. The second church he served was St. Paul's Moravian in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

Pastor Lane was born on December 15, 1932, in Washington D.C. He graduated from George Washington University and went on to study at the Lutheran Seminary in Gettysburg, PA becoming ordained in 1959. He proudly served the Prince George's Police Department for 17 years marrying and burying the brave men and women who risk their lives every day to keep us safe. In 1976 he was awarded a Master's Degree in Counseling from the University of Maryland. John maintained a Christian counseling service for the next 30 years, bringing healing and renewal to hundreds of people.

He married Martha Lane in 1967. He was father to eight children now grown and married. He was the proud loving grandfather to seventeen grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. John was a member of the Charles County Sportsman Club where he enjoyed competition silhouette shooting. He was a Maryland State Champion for many years. He listened to classical music everyday. His favorite composer was Bach and the Baroque style. He collected words as a hobby which was a source of never ending learning. He read Greek which he used to prepare his sermons and Bible studies. He held a Healing Service on the first Friday of each month for the last 35 years operating in the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. People attended from St. Mary's, St. Charles, Calvert, and Prince George's Counties.

He and Martha moved to a new home in La Plata, Maryland where he continued his ministry until the day he became ill. John Lane was greatly loved by family and friends. He will be immeasurably missed.

He was son of the late Orley Burdette Lane, Sr., and the late Frances Waddell Lane. He was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Martha Ann Wilson; children, David (Kristine) Jett, Robert (Lynn) Jett, Christopher (Anne) Lane, Beth (Ricky) Leonard, Linda Ellis, Theresa (Shawn) Wilson, Shannon (Terry) Gragg, and Genevieve (Michael) Myers; and brother, Herk Lane. Also survived by 17 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends received on Thursday, December 22, 2011 from 4-8PM with Memorial Service at 7PM at New Life Wesleyan Church (9690 Shepherd's Creek Lane, La Plata, MD 20646). A Funeral Service will take place on Friday, December 23, 2011 at 10AM at New Life Wesleyan Church. Clergy will be the Rev. William Andrews and the Rev. Steve Nicholas. Interment will follow at Washington National Cemetery, Suitland, MD. Pallbearers will be David, Robert, and Michael Jett, Chris Lane, Ricky Leonard, Shawn Wilson, Terry Gragg, and Mike Myers. Honorary Pallbearers will be Bill and Pat Nolan.

Arrangements provided by Raymond Funeral Service.