Robert Hal Lane

In many ways, Hal Lane defined the meaning of devoted husband, dedicated father and grandfather, and hard worker. The foundation of his family, Hal lived fully and completely surrounded by the ones he loved. Technically he was quite savvy, and kept up on the latest gadgets. He was also quite a perfectionist. Hal enjoyed the friendships of many and served his community well. Never judgmental, he was just as giving and interested in the life of a stranger as he was a friend. His memory will be treasured as he is greatly missed.

Hal's story began during the height of the Great Depression. By 1930, the average American income was cut nearly in half, and America fell even deeper into the depths of hardship as countless families continued to lose their jobs, their homes, and dreams for the future. To keep spirits high, people did what they could to be happy. They filled their time enjoying board games, and picture shows took them away from everyday worries while baseball became America's favorite pastime. For Porter and Rose (Jobin) Lane of Tipton, Indiana, the days were made brighter when on July 25, 1930 they welcomed the birth of their son, Robert "Hal" Lane.

Hal grew up in the community of Tipton alongside his two brothers, Joe and John. During his youth, he enjoyed typical adventures of boyhood. He liked playing with toy soldiers, and loved times spent with his father hunting. From an early age, Hal developed a lifelong love for model trains and airplanes which remained his whole life through. He also came to have a great love for cars. Hal attended the area schools, and played the saxophone in his school band. He was an outgoing fellow, and even started a band with some of his friends. While in high school, Hal worked at the Red Gold Canning Factory in nearby Elwood before landing a job as a "soda jerk" at the local Rexall Drug Store. He went on to graduate from Tipton High School with the Class of 1948.

There was much more on Hal's mind during his high school days than his studies, cars, playing his sax, and work, and her name was Rachel Kleyla, his high school sweetheart. Even though Rachel was a few years younger, they enjoyed getting together with mutual friends. They often hung out at the local soda stand, attended dances together, and quite often just drove around town which was the "in thing" to do.

After graduating from high school, Hal went on to further his education at Purdue University. He loved big band music, and while in college started his own band, Hal Lanes Orchestra. He studied at Purdue for two years before being drafted to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Certain Rachel was his one and only, he enlisted the help of his parents while overseas in selecting just the right engagement ring for his sweetheart. After the war on February 27, 1952, Hal and Rachel were happily married at the West Street Christian Church.

Following their wedding, Rachel encouraged Hal to complete his education, and they moved to the Lafayette area. Hal eventually received his bachelors degree from the Purdue School of Pharmacy in 1955, and soon began working as a pharmacist in Elwood. He later went to work at Tams Drug Store in Marion before they made their final move in 1966 to Columbia City. For over 33 years, Hal was the director of pharmacy at Whitley County Memorial Hospital until retiring in 1999. He provided well for his beloved Rachel, as well as their four sons, Brian, Dave, Mike, and Mark with whom Hal was extremely proud. Hal was a very hard, dedicated worker, and never missed a day of work during his 33 years at Whitley. Along with his work as a pharmacist, he operated About You Books. Even after Hal retired, he opened Gotcha-Covered II, a custom apparel store with his son, Mike

Although ardent in his work, Hal was just as devoted to the family entrusted to his care. He was a wonderful example to his sons, and as a family they enjoyed several vacations over the years, including camping and hiking at the Salamonie Reservoir. Hal's family was his greatest joy, and he treasured times spent making lasting memories with them by his side.

Hal was a past president of the Columbia City Rotary Club and had been a member of the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacist. He also continued his passion for radio controlled airplanes, and model railroads. When they lived in Marion, Hal built an entire town around the model railroad he designed in the basement of their home.

Once they moved to Columbia City, he traded in the model railroads for model rockets and Hal was well known as the man with all the airplanes in his garage. In fact, as a young man his dream of flying became reality when he obtained his pilots license. He often enjoyed flying around in a Piper J-3 Cub. Throughout the years, Hal enjoyed a variety of interests. Besides his model airplanes and railroad, he enjoyed listening to big band music and liked action movies. He was also an avid coin collector and spent many years researching and building his collection. Hal even passed down to his children and grandchildren novelty collections of different coins. That had been his true passion and hobby upon his retirement.


He loved food, and especially savored filet steaks, lobster, and getting take-out from Pizza King. Hal thoroughly enjoyed the times he traveled to Las Vegas where he liked playing the slots and seeing the shows. He also enjoyed his hobby of rock polishing, and even taught his boys the techniques involved. He always took great interest in the latest gadgets, and was very technology minded. Reading up and studying about what all the new technological advances had to offer was a wonderful past time for Hal. Even at the age of 84, Hal had his own Facebook account to keep connected to his children and grandchildren.

One of Hal's greatest interests came about while in the dentist's office one day. He began reading an article about the 1893 Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World. Otherwise known as the Chicago World's Fair, Hal was fascinated by this historical event which encompassed 690 acres where more than 27 million attended during its six month run. Besides becoming well educated about it, Hal also became an avid collector of some of the fair's items.

Above all, Hal Lane was a man who adored and deeply loved his family. He was a nurturing presence in the lives of those he loved and will be sorely missed and fondly remembered. His legacy will continue to be the many memories he leaves behind and forever cherished.

Robert Hal Lane, 84, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away at 5:17 p.m. Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at Parkview Whitley Hospital in Columbia City. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Rachel Lane; sons, Brian Lane of Fort Wayne, Dave (Kim Weaver) Lane of Fort Wayne, Mike (Jill) Lane of Columbia City, and Mark (Mandy) Lane of Osceola; brothers, Joe (Dorothy) Lane of Helotes, Texas and John Lane of Tipton; and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant granddaughter, Emily Brianne Lane.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2015 from 2-6 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive. Funeral services will be Monday, February 23, 2015, 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Larry Sheets officiating. Burial will follow at Greenhill Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in Hals memory to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana. Please visit www.demoneygrimes.com to share a favorite memory of Hal, send family condolences and to sign his online guest book.