GEORGE LANE ROBERTS, age 93, a resident of rural East Prairie, died Tuesday, January 17, 2012, at the Bertrand Nursing Facility.

He was born March 29, 1918 on a farm west of Charleston to the late William Noah and Florence Ella Lane Roberts. He had lived in Mississippi County most of his life where he was an active member of the First Christian Church in Charleston having served as a deacon, trustee, Sunday School superintendent and teacher. Mr. Roberts graduated with the 1936 class of Charleston High School and then in 1941 received a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture from the University of MO/ Columbia. Following his graduation from college he was drafted into the U.S. Army and received a convenience of the government discharge which allowed him to enlist in U.S. Naval Reserve. He reported for naval duty in January 1942 serving as an engineering instructor with the navy amphibious forces at Little Creek, VA. He separated from active duty in the Navy in October 1945 as a Second Grade LT then continued his affiliation with the Naval Reserve Surface Unit 9-129 in Cape Girardeau, serving as Commanding officer of that unit for 3 years, 1954 – 1957. He retired from the U. S. Naval Reserve in 1978 having obtained the rank of LT Commander. In 1945 following his separation from active duty he taught Vocational Agriculture at Wardell High School for 3 years and then at Charleston High School for 15 years. In 1963 he became the County Executive Director of the Mississippi County Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) until his retirement in 1988. He was a former member and past President of the Charleston Lions Club and East Prairie Kiwanis Club, had held memberships in several state and local organization, and the Masonic Lodge #407 AF and AM.

On December 20 1941 he married Nell Elizabeth Crow who preceded him in death on November 10, 1965. He then married Carrie Simpkins on October 31, 1968 who preceded him in death on July 15, 1995.

Surviving are one son, George Lane Roberts Jr. of St. Louis; one daughter, Jane Elizabeth (Rex) Rexinger of Venice, FL; one step daughter, Peggy (Bill) Thompson of Charleston;one brother, James Roberts of the state of Louisiana; one sister, Mary French of Charleston; also four grandchildren, Tracy (Tim) Pounds of Kuwait City, Kuwait, Chris (Kelly) Roberts of St. Louis, Fran (Matt) Gray of Hong Kong,China, Lee (Jeff) Varga of Portland, OR; two step grandchildren, John (Michelle) Thompson of Charleston and Jason (Melissa) Thompson of East Prairie, five great grandchildren and four step great grandchildren.

One daughter in law, Judy Roberts, two brothers, Joe Roberts and Paul Roberts, and one sister, Frances Roberts, preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 20, 2012 at the McMikle Funeral Home where the funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 21, 2012. Rev. Jim Malugen, pastor of the First Christian Church in Charleston, will officiate.

Missouri Military Honor Guard will conduct graveside rites at the IOOF Cemetery. Interment will follow under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Richard Hutcheson, Jim Leigh, Steve McClanahan, Glenn Ault, Sam Babb, and Donnie Sams.

Memorial Contributions may be given to: First Christian Church, 109 S. Virginia Street, Charleston, MO 63834.