Rev. Hardist E. Lane

Rev. Hardist E. Lane was born on November 10, 1928 in Columbus, Mississippi to the union of the late Johnnie and Daisy Lane. Rev. Lane graduated from Union Academy High School in Columbus, Mississippi and moved to Muskegon, Michigan in 1944. At the age of 22, Rev. Lane enlisted in the U.S. Army and was called to the Korean War where he served until 1952 when he was transferred to the Army Reserve and received an honorable discharge in 1959. Rev. Lane accepted the Lord’s calling to preach and was licensed in 1965.  Throughout his career, Rev. Lane, a life-long learner continued his study through Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and also received additional training and certification in addiction through Hazelden Betty Ford Center. Rev. Lane was then called to the A.M.E. Zion Church where hebegan his life’s work in 1969 during the Michigan Annual Conference.  Rev, Lane advanced in Kingdom building through the Chicago District fulfilling his aspirations of a “Theology of Concern” in the city of Evanston where he was appointed pastor of Fisher Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church. In 2006, after 37 years of pastoring, Rev. Lane retired from his appointment. While Pastoring in Illinois, Rev. Lane also worked at MiddlebyMarshall Company as a Metallurgist Foreman in the iron industry. After retiring from his decades of pastoring at Fisher Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in Evanston, Rev. Lane continued his life’s work: helping reintegrate ex-offender into the community. Rev. Lane founded the H.E. Lane Center for Positive Change whose mission was to fight poverty and homelessness through counseling, life skill and job training. Rev. Lane believed that “If a person has paid his debt to society, we should never rob him of a chance at real life.” Rev. Lane’s ecumenical activities include being the former President of the Evanston Ecumenical Action Council, President of the Black Ministers Fellowship of Evanston, President of the Evanston Community Development Association and a Member of the Clergyman Crisis Team of the Evanston Police Department.

Rev. Hardist E. Lane is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Mrs. Janice O. Lane; a daughter, Janice Beth Lane-Schroeder (Ron); a granddaughter, Samantha Jones (Gerald); great grandchildren, Lincoln and London Jones; Sister-In-Law, EtoyNelson (Ron); and a host of nieces and nephews. Rev. Lane was preceded in death by his parents Johnnie and Daisy Lane and brother; John L. Lane.

Visitation Monday, August 16, 2021 from 10:00 AM until time of funeral service 11:00 AM followed by military honors at Fisher Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, 9444 Elmwood Avenue, Evanston, Illinois. Rev. Anthony G. Morris, officiating. A private interment will take place at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, Illinois.

Funeral Arrangements are under the care of Haliburton Funeral Chapel, Nathan Haliburton, Director, 1317 Emerson Street, Evanston, IL 60201

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rev. Hardist E. Lane, please visit our floral store.