Ralph H. Lane, age73, departed this life on February 19th, 2025. Born at Millville Hospital on April 12, 1951, to the late Ralph H. Lane, Jr. and Doris (Taylor) Lane, he was a lifetime resident of Millville. Ralph graduated from Millville Senior High School Class of 1969, where he participated in many extracurricular school activities. Ralph especially enjoyed being a member of the 1968-1969 championship varsity basketball team that was undefeated in the regular season.

After high school graduation, Ralph earned an Associate Degree from Cumberland County College in 1971. He continued his education by obtaining a Bachelor of arts Degree from Stockton State College in 1973, having the honor of being in the first class to graduate from this new state college.

In January 1975, Ralph became an employee of the City of Millville Tax Assessors Office, advancing through the various clerical and administrative positions in the department. In April 1983, the Millville City Commission appointed Ralph to the Constitutional Office of Tax Assessor, which he held until retirement in May 2006. The State of New Jersey, Department of the Treasury issued a license as a Certified Tax Assessor in May 1977 to Ralph, which was required for this position. In the ensuing years Ralph attended a plethora of continuing education courses and seminars through Rutgers State University in New Brunswick, NJ.

Ralph was grateful that his profession created many opportunities for him to serve at both the local and state levels. Ralph was a member of the Cumberland County Tax Assessors Association from 1976 to his retirement, serving as its President for fourteen years. Ralph was a member of the Association of Municipal Assessors of New Jersey from 1978 to retirement, serving as Vice President in 2000, and on it's Board of Directors from 1993 to 2004. He was also a member of the International Association of Assessing Officers from 1980 to 2006.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Ralph was named Outstanding Young Men of America in 1978 and 1981. Ralph was also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Centre Grove Cemetery Association from 1999 to 2019, serving as President from 2015 to 2019. Ralph was very active in the Boy Scouts of America Program, joining the Cub Scouts at the age of eight with Pack 5 in Millville. He was a sixty-five year veteran of the Boy Scouts of America, having achieved the rank of Life Scout in Troop 4 in Millville. As an adult in the scouting program, Ralph served in various positions in the many years he was an active scouter including Assistant Scoutmaster, Committee Member, Committee Treasurer, and Scoutmaster. Ralph earned the Scouters Training Award, Scoutmasters Key, Woodbadge Training Award, District Award of Merit, and the Silver Beaver Award- Scouting's highest award for volunteers at the local council level. Ralph was also a Vigil Member in the Order of the Arrow Lodge. Ralph was also an avid collector of Boy Scout memorabilia and old Boy Scout patches.

Ralph started collecting paperweights at the age of ten with his Grandmother Taylor and acquired a rather extensive collection of local and other paperweight makers. He also enjoyed antiquing and perusing the flea markets and yard sales looking for that great bargain.

Ralph is survived by his best friend, the love of his life and wife of forty-six years, Jane (McCarthy) Lane. He is also survived by his sons, of which he was extremely proud, Adam Lane and Aaron Lane (Lauren), his grandson, Finnley and granddaughter, Lorelei, who brightened his days with laughter, sister, LuAnn Whitaker and husband William, brothers-in-law, Daniel McCarthy, Richard McCarthy and his wife Claudia, four nephews and one niece.

At the wishes of Ralph, no services were held. Ralph requested that donations in his name be made to Central Baptist Church of Millville, 9 N. Second Street, Millville, NJ 08332.