Michael A. Lane, age 55, of Wellsboro, PA, passed away unexpectedly from natural causes at home, Saturday, March 1, 2025. 

He was born on January 8, 1970 in Wellsboro, PA, a son of the late Walter and Verna (Hollenbach) Lane.  Mike started his career in law enforcement as a police officer in Galeton, Pa, before being selected as the Chief of Police in Bethel, Pa.  Mike had a highly decorated career as a Master Trooper for the Pennsylvania State Police, and retired in 2018 after honorably serving 25 years.  To know him, was to love him. He was the king of shenanigans. His favorite thing to do was make people smile and laugh, and he was a master at it.  He enjoyed shooting guns, blowing up things with tannerite, working on his restored 1971 Pontiac LeMans, and doing “man things”.  He was an expert on all things muscle cars.  He started working at the age of 16 at Cliff’s Collision Repair in Wellsboro Pa, where he quickly became an expert at repairing and painting vehicles. He restored a 1971 Mustang Fastback, and if you lived in Tioga County in the late 1980’s, you knew Mike Lane and that white and black pinstriped Mustang. 

He had an amazing attention to detail that served him well throughout everything he did in life.  His motto after retirement was, “Everyday is Saturday!”.  He enjoyed mowing the lawn, grilling and smoking meat.  Mike was an amazing cook and enjoyed cooking for others.  He loved karaoke and his rendition of David Allen Coe’s “You Never Even Called Me By My Name” was something everyone should have gotten the chance to hear.  He knew a lot of things about a lot of things, and once you figured that out, you’d want him on your trivia team.  Mike would give you the shirt off his back and if you were his friend you knew it.  Mike’s soft spot was for animals and babies, and they all loved him right back.  Mike’s coonhound Cash, was his best buddy, and Cash’s adopted sister Tara-Jean loved her daddy too.  He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, and bragging about his coveted hot dog roller machine & his automatic card shuffler.  Mike was larger than life and he captivated the room.  You couldn’t take your eyes off him because you never knew what he was going to say or do next.  He loved his PSP brothers and sisters, and if you were lucky enough to know him, then you had a friend you could count on to be in your corner when things got rough.

 Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Walt and Verna, and his older brother Bob. 

Mike was survived by his wife Lori Lane of Wellsboro, PA, his son: Sean Lane, stepdaughters: Taylor Noble of Nashville, TN, Kate Noble of Florence, AL, and Samantha (Jake) LaMar of Layton, UT, nephew Steve Lane of Savona, NY, niece Katie Lane of Boston, MA., and nephew Kaden Rotsell of Verona NY, and Brother-in-Law Shay Rotsell of Verona, NY.  Mike adored his granddaughters, Allison and Ashton, and whenever they called, we had to go find Grandpa.

There will be two services for Mike.  An informal celebration of life will be held in Wellsboro, March 15, 2025, at the Horseshoe, starting at 2pm. Mike’s kind of music, Miller High Life, food and lots of laughs.  A formal memorial service will be held on March 30, 2025, at 2pm at   The Orchard Event Center, 7634 Lancaster Ave, Myerstown, PA 17067.  Arrangements are entrusted to the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc. www.carletonfh.com Wellsboro, PA