Frank Lane

(From Knell Mortuary)

Franklin Joseph Lane, age 81, Carthage, Missouri, passed away Tuesday December 9, 2025, at Saint Lukes Nursing Cener Carthage, Missouri. He was born May 20, 1944 in Carthage, Missouri, to Nancy Beamer Lane Garrison, and Virgil Paul Lane.

He liked to remember he attended elementary school at Mark Twain which was known then as Mark Twain Indians. He graduated from Carthage High School, Carthage, Missouri in 1962, where he was in ROTC. He then attended college at both Joplin Junior College and Pittsburg State University. He worked as a paper boy in his youth delivering the Carthage Press on his bicycle and later worked in the press office through high school.

He was employed as a machinist at Leggett and Platt in Carthage for 3 years and the Vickers Plant in Joplin for 19 years.

He was a member of the Missouri National Guard 103 Engineer Battalion, Carthage, Missouri for 6 years, with E4 status. He has been a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Carthage since the age of 14.

On November 22, 1969 he was married to his wife Donna Davis. In 2019 they celebrated their 50th Anniversary with their family. They lived and raised their two daughters Jana and Susan in Carthage. Their family grew later by two sons-in-law Scott Sawyer and Scott Campbell, and four grandchildren, Benjamin Yoo-Bin Sawyer, Owen Jeong Sawyer, Jane Scott “Scottie” Campbell, and Ruth May Campbell. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Dr. Jerald P. Lane.

He is survived by his wife, Donna; daughters, Jana Sawyer (Scott), Carthage, Missouri, and Susan “Sue” Campbell (Scott), of Elgin, Illinois; two grandsons, Ben Sawyer, and Owen Sawyer; two granddaughters, Scottie Campbell and Ruthie Campbell; a half-brother, Doug Lane, Higginsville, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Frank always had a great sense of humor and even in the difficult times of his illness the sense of humor remained. He loved the outdoors and spent many years camping and fishing with his family. This included trips to Canada and the boundary waters in Minnesota. Above all Frank felt strongly about fairness and mercy. He was very kindhearted and looked for fairness for all and fairness in everything. The family would like to thank the staff at St. Lukes Nursing Center for their care and compassion.

Memorial services will be held at 11 am Monday December 15, 2025 at Grace Episcopal Church. Inurnment will immediately follow in the Grace Episcopal Columbarium. The family suggests memorial donation to Grace Church or St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com.