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Van Wesley Lane, age 64, passed away on Sept. 27, 2024, at his home in Cliffwood, New Jersey. He was born on July 16, 1960, to the late John Wesley and Ola Jean Lane in Newark, New Jersey.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at the Woodson Learning Center, Andalusia, Alabama with interment at the Marshall Memorial Cemetery with Kirk’s Funeral Chapel directing. A memorial service was held Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, at the American Hotel Majestic Ballroom in Freehold, New Jersey.

At an early age, Van attended the St. Peter Baptist Church in Andalusia, Alabama where he was baptized and sang in the Crusader choir. At the time of his death, he was a member of the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Cliffwood, New Jersey. He served as the financial clerk and served on the board of trustees.

He graduated from Andalusia High School in 1978. In high school, he played basketball and was a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society. Upon graduation from high school, he attended Alabama A&M University where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics in May 1982. Upon completion of his undergraduate studies, Van attended the University of Alabama Law School where he received a Juris Doctor degree in May 1985.

Van entered active duty in the U.S. Army as a Medical Services Corps Officer in June 1986 and reached the rank of Captain in July 1988. He was honorably discharged in April 1996. He received many awards and medals including a Meritorious Service Medal and a Multinational Force and Observers Medal. His assignments included Medical Platoon Leader for 3rd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment in the 9th Infantry Division in Fort Lewis, Washington, Company Commander of Charlie Company, 302nd Forward Support Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division in Camp Casey, Korea, Medical Operations Officer for the 10th Special Forces Group in Fort Devens, Massachusetts, and Medical Plans Officer for the ACE Rapid Reaction Corps, a NATO Headquarters, located in Rheindahlen, Germany. His assignments also included deployment to the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt as part of the Multinational Force and Observers Unit, an international peacekeeping force overseeing the terms of a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, a one year short tour in the Republic of South Korea, and deployment to Northern Iraq to stabilize displaced Kurdish refugees in Southeast Turkey and return them to their former residences in Northern Iraq.

Later, he started his private law practice in New Jersey from 1992-1999. In 1999, he started working for the New Jersey Public Defender Office, representing citizens accused of crimes who could not afford to retain a private attorney. At the time of his death, Van held the title, Deputy Public Defender, managing 20 attorneys, 10 investigators, and 9 clerical staff in the Monmouth County Region. He also served as a trustee for the Monmouth County Bar Association.

Van was a dedicated advocate for his community. He often dedicated his time to counseling and uplifting those in need. As a member of the Phi Upsilon Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, he made a significant impact on the community by spearheading an expungement event that provided residents with a valuable opportunity to clear their criminal records and embark on new chapters in their lives. Although, he was devoted to his work and community, he always made time for his family and friends. He was a beloved person who touched many lives. He will be remembered with love.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Wesley and Ola Jean Lane; grandparents, Albert Sidney and Bertha Blue; and brother-in-law, John David Porter. He is survived by his loving and caring sister, Beverly Kaye Lane Porter of Andalusia; three nieces, Daphne (Johnny) Stallworth of Monroeville, Alabama; Kimberly Harrison of Andalusia; and Tiffany Porter of Andalusia; one nephew, Marquez (Janice) Harrison of Fairburn, Georgia; several great nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends.