John "Jeff" Lane

John Jeffrey Lane (Jeff), 85, of Traverse City, Michigan, died Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

He was born September 30, 1940, in Melrose, Massachusetts, to John Murchie Lane and Elizabeth (Spencer) Lane.

Jeff earned a business degree from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, and proudly served in the United States Army from 1964 to 1968—an experience that remained an important and defining part of his life.

After his military service, Jeff settled in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to pursue his childhood dream of working for the Ford Motor Company. He lived there with his two children, Marylou and Michael, with his first wife, Marie.

Jeff spent most of his professional career living his passion for cars through automotive sales and engineering, working for Ford Motor Company, Lacks Industries, Siegel-Roberts, and Prince & Associates.

On January 27, 1979, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Jeff married Donna Orlowski, with whom he shared nearly 47 years of marriage, partnership, and family life.

Jeff enjoyed restoring his 1940 Ford pickup truck and spending time outdoors hiking, kayaking, skiing, biking, sailing, and walking along Lake Michigan. He also took pleasure in collecting model cars.

He was a member of the Elk Rapids Rotary Club and the Newcomers Club of Grand Traverse, valuing service, learning, and community.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Donna Lane; his daughter, Marylou Lane Hill and her husband, Gary Hill; his son, Michael Lane and his wife, Deanna; his grandchildren, Sophie and Daniel Hill, and Brooke and Brynn Lane; his sister, Nancy Warner; and his nieces, Wendi Moss and Lisa Warner. He is also survived by his step-grandchildren, Olivia and Kristen Tenaglio.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Elizabeth (Betty) Lane.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jeff’s memory to the Trackchair Program through Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, supporting trail access and accessibility:

https://www.friendsofsleepingbear.org/donate-now

A celebration of life will be held in Summer 2026. Please contact Donna Lane (detlane@charter.net) if you would like to be notified when plans are finalized for this summer.

Please visit www.lifestorytc.com to share memories and condolences.

Jeff will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.