Milwaukee native Benjamin E. Lane, 87, of Glendale died Jan. 18 of complications of diabetes.
He was a 1940 graduate of South Division High School and a 1947 graduate of Milwaukee State Teachers College. He earned a master’s degree in social work in 1949 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
During World War II, Lane served in the U.S. Navy on the U.S.S. Mentor.
After completing graduate school, he worked for Jewish Family and Children’s Services and become the director of the Milwaukee Jewish Children’s Home.
Lane lived and worked in Toledo, Ohio, as director of a nursing home and returned to Milwaukee in 1968 to work as administrator of the Jewish Home and Care Center. He presided over the construction and move to the home’s new building on Prospect Ave. in 1973. He worked as a consultant in Omaha, Neb., briefly and again returned to Milwaukee.
He was a member of Congregation Beth Israel and a member and president of the Association of Ohio Philanthropic Homes for the Aging.
He especially enjoyed photography and travel and took a memorable trip to Israel. “Ben cared for his fellow man. He was a true mensch,” his wife, Belle, wrote to The Chronicle.
Preceded in death by brothers Elias Lane, Forrest Lane and Samuel Lane, he is survived by his wife of 57 years, Belle Lane (nee Goldman); daughter Michelle Lane of Milwaukee; son Jonathan (Gloria) Lane of Glendale; and two grandchildren.
Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Rabbi Shlomo Pontos officiated at graveside services on Jan. 21 in Second Home Cemetery. He was buried with full military honors.
The family appreciates memorial contributions to JHCC or the charity of the donor’s choice.
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