Age 82, passed away on January 18, 2022. He was born August 10, 1939 in Ann Arbor, MI to Edward M. and Ivy M. (Barnes) Lane.
Ted is survived by his wife, Elaine, to whom he was married on August 25, 1978, his son, Jeffrey and Leslie Lane of Grass Lake, MI, and his daughter, Diana Dawn Heaphy and Michael Heaphy of Lima, OH; Elaine’s sons, Tim and Shannon Latimer of Verona, WI and Scott and Nancy Latimer of Brighton, MI; grandchildren, Olivia and Louisa Latimer of Verona, WI and Ellianna and Oliver Latimer of Brighton, MI; as well as his sister, Carol Loukotka of Gregory, MI.
Ted grew up in Ann Arbor, attending the old Eberbach school, Tappan and Slauson Junior High, and Ann Arbor High School.
He entered the U.S. Army in August 1956, graduating from heavy armor training in Fort Knox, KY as a tank driver. He served in Korea with the 24th and 1st cavalry division. When he returned to the United States he was stationed at Fort Devens, MA.
Upon discharge from military service, Ted began a rewarding career in the appliance service industry which spanned five decades. Initially employed by Home Appliance Mart, Ted formed his own company on January 1, 1981. He enjoyed his work very much, considering his customers as his friends. He had an inquisitive mind which made “fixing things” fun for him. He did retire, but after a few months he couldn't idle and worked part time at Heydlauff's Appliances “fixing things.”
Ted enjoyed time spent at North Lake at their cottage, not just in summer but anytime.
From an early age Ted was fascinated by machines and cars, especially those that went fast. A long awaited Corvette on his 60th birthday attested to that - he called the Vette, his greatest material possession.
Ted wasn’t one who liked to “dress up,” jeans and a graphic tee shirt were his “Sunday best.”
Ted was proud of his family, his home, the cottage, cars and trucks, but mostly he was proud of his life in America and his military service to his country.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, 290 Turnpike Rd., Suite 5-135, Westborough, MA, or any animal rescue group charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.
