Wilma Jean Burch Lane passed away in Springfield on Easter Sunday, April 20th, 2025. She was 98 and lived her entire life in Springfield. She attended Berry Elementary, Reed Junior High, and Senior (Central) High, class of 1945. She was extremely proud of having completed her high school diploma during a time when this wasn’t the norm, especially for girls. 

Wilma loved to tell stories of growing up in the ‘30s. While the Great Depression was raging on, the Burches had multiple businesses that ensured the kids could always have some change to go to the movies or grab a bite to eat. She truly loved her mother, Maggie Mae, and felt she was the perfect homemaker. Her father, Rancey, had a band and played dances, and owned The Flamingo Club. This instilled a lifelong love of music and dancing in Wilma. She was known as a great dancer, and enjoyed going out dancing with friends well into her 80s.

In her late teens, she met a soldier named Roy W. Lane, who was stopping by her family home before leaving to serve in the Second World War. Wilma’s sister, Mildred, and Roy’s brother, Ralph, were married. The story goes that Roy saw Wilma in the other room, and asked Mick who that girl was. Mick replied, “It’s my little sister, Wilma,” and Roy declared, “I’m going to write to her.”

Wilma thought, “Yeah, I’ll bet!” But he did, and they exchanged letters throughout the war and married when ‘Willie’ was just 18. She would joke that Roy wouldn’t give her any other option, but since she has always described him as ‘the best guy on the planet’, she obviously won out in the end. They were married for 40 years until Roy’s untimely death, and they had two children, Michael Roy and Diana Jean.

She always said her children, Michael and Diana, were the great achievements of her life. Diana says Wilma took her job as a homemaker VERY seriously. She kept an immaculate home, put three meals on the table every single day, gardened, canned, painted, crocheted, sewed Diana’s school clothes (and even Barbie clothes), and was an all-around creative person. She had a lot of pride in her home, her family, and her appearance. She was known for always dressing beautifully and being very put together. She may have been just a little bit vain! In her later years, Diana was dedicated to caring for Wilma and helping her to live independently in her home until her very last few months. Wilma called Diana “an angel” and “the greatest thing I have ever made”.

Wilma had a sharp mind and attended school on her own accord, and she even helped her older siblings with their schoolwork. For her entire life, she was curious about the world and loved to learn. She travelled to many states in the US, read archeology and history magazines, and did the newspaper crossword puzzle nearly every day of her life. She was intelligent and witty, outspoken and sassy! Although she was tiny, Wilma was stronger than anyone ever expected and outlived nearly all of her many friends and family. She said over and over again how lucky she had been, and that she had a truly amazing life.

Her family will miss her very much, but are grateful she has gone home to be with her husband, Roy, her family, and her multitude of friends who preceded her in death.

Wilma wanted these words to be read at her funeral service:

“In the front of my bible is written: ‘I will never leave you, nor forsake you.’ The Lord said that. It has been my rock ever since I became a Christian. Knowing he was always with me kept me going at the worst times.

“ALL I have needed, his hand has provided. I’ve never really wanted for anything and I’ve had a wonderful life. Loving parents and sisters and brothers. A large, loving, caring family of relatives. My wonderful husband of 40 years. My two beautiful children, my sweet, beautiful grandchildren who are the light of my life. I have had friends of over 60 years and one since the 7th grade. I’ve had a large in-law family who meant a lot to me. Who could ever have wanted more?”