Charlotte Anne Lane

Charlotte was born July 5, 1953 in Atascadero, California to Leo and Norma (Tilk) Lane. Charlotte was a Greenfield High School, University of Iowa and Saint Xavier University graduate where she received the highest honors.

She taught middle school and coached track and field for nearly 40 years in Chillicothe, Illinois and worked in various capacities at the Peoria Civic Center for 23 years.

She is survived by her mother, Norma Lane and long-time partner, Mike Smith, as well as a host of extended family. Her father, Leo, brother, Larry, and fiancé Thomas Eckley predeceased her.

Charlotte wants everyone to know her work here is complete. She received an offer “you can’t refuse,” which means she will embark on a journey from which she will not return. This new opportunity brings a significant sign-on bonus: a reunion with family, friends, and beloved pets, some of whom Charlotte hasn’t seen in a long time. This mission takes her to a place where she has the best music, work that will be a joy, celebrations with angels, and delicious food and drink with Jesus and the saints of old—without gaining weight.

Charlotte left detailed instructions for her mother, partner, family, and friends to celebrate her life. Any deviation from these instructions will not be tolerated.

Though we will miss her dearly, we want her to know she did an outstanding job. We are grateful to her for the opportunities, experiences and exposures she afforded us. We will forever cherish her laugh, smile, warm embraces, long letters, summers at the pool, travel companionship, vibrant energy, and love for life, family, friends, students, colleagues, and service providers, most of whom became her friends. Charlotte worked diligently throughout her life, right up to the end, making a positive difference in the lives of many.

We invite you to join us in celebrating her amazing life and legacy.

ARRANGEMENTS: A Funeral Mass will be on Wednesday, February 26th at 2 PM at Holy Family Church, 3720 N Sterling Ave., Peoria, IL 61615. A live stream will be available at https://www.youtube.com/@peoriaholyfamilycrusaders1082/streams.

A Celebration of Life will immediately follow at the Peoria Civic Center in downtown Peoria. Parking will be available in the Fulton lot.

Interment will be in the Spring in her hometown of Greenfield, IA.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Peoria Humane Society or any animal welfare agency of your choosing.