Wayne Lance

January 2, 1914 - May 10, 2012

Wayne E. Lance, 98, left his earthly home on 10 May 2012 after a brief and unexpected illness. Born in Homerville, OH to Vernon F. and Flossie Elizabeth (Wallington) Lance on 2 January 1914, he was his father's 28th birthday present as they shared the same birth date. At an early age, Wayne became interested in music. He learned to play the piano, guitar and trumpet. With 2 of his cousins, they formed a small musical group, The Hawaiian Harmonizers. During his high school years and after graduation this trio played countless engagements in and around Sullivan, OH. They even traveled to Mansfield, OH for their weekly radio show from1936-1938. After high school graduation he attended the Sherwood Music School in Chicago, IL in hopes of becoming a music teacher in the public schools. Unfortunately, he could not continue his studies. In 1939 he married Allene M. Werner. Wayne worked for the Ashland Rubber Company in Ashland, OH, Spencer Manufacturing in Spencer, OH, and Lear Seigler in Elyria, OH. Wayne continued to play in numerous dance bands in Elyria, OH and for square dances at the Berea, OH fairgrounds. These side jobs helped his family take wonderful, summer camping vacations all over the United States in the 1950's. Wayne built his own camping trailer. The family traveled from New England to the Smoky Mountains, from Michigan to the South Dakota badlands and most often to Colorado and Arizona. Wayne was a ham radio operator for many years operating under the call letters K7RLN. In 1961, Wayne and Allene moved from Elyria, OH to Prescott, AZ. Wayne did many small jobs including cleaning the Elks movie theatre. He continued his love of music by playing in dance bands and the organ at the Sunset Hills Restaurant. He was also a church organist in Prescott for the First Congregational Church and for churches in Clarksdale and Cottonwood. Wayne and his son, David, hiked into the Grand Canyon from the western end when David was in boy scouts. At the age of 95, he was playing weekly at Cupper's Coffee Shop. Wayne and Allene divorced in 1977. Wayne married twice after that and divorced twice. In May of 2009 he fell and broke his hip. He still wanted to do things himself, though. Wayne is survived by daughters Margaret (Ralph) Cheney, Elyria, OH; Gloria Hatcher Ogden, Prescott AZ; Janet (Joseph) Cosgrove, Lake Forest, CA; and son, David Lance of Prescott. Also surviving are 7 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, 4 step-great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-granddaughters. Preceding him in death were his parents; a sister, Mildred Coffman of Albuquerque, NM in 2009; his first wife, Allene in 1999; a son-in-law, Bernard Hatcher in 1971 and a grandson, Wesley Hatcher in 1977. A memorial service will be held on June 16 at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Prescott where Wayne was a long-time member. Memorial contributions can be made to the First Congregational Church in Prescott, AZ.