Obituary of Harry Lance

Harry Smith Lance, 87, formerly of Washington, NJ died Tuesday, June 17, 2009 in Ocala, FL. Born in Changewater, NJ, April 3, 1922 to the late Lewis A. Lance and Clara Smith Lance. He attended schools in Washington and for several years operated a trucking business prior to moving to Miami, FL, where for 25 years he operated a high rise contract cleaning company employing over 100 people, retiring in 1978 to Ocala, FL. Mr. Lance was an Elder in the First Presbyterian Church, Ocala. He joined the Masonic Order in 1963, Hialeah Lodge No. 390. Scottish Rite and Shrine in 1964. He was Master of Friendship Lodge No. 53 in 1990 and later became a Charter Member of Ft. King Daylight Lodge No. 389, and Past District Deputy Grand Master in 1994. He demitted to I.N. McNatt Lodge No. 103, Hawthorne, FL and was Master there for the years 1999 and 2000, overseeing the complete renovation of the 140 year old lodge. Mr. Lance was also Master of the Lodge of Perfection, Scottish Rite K.C.C.H., elevated to the Hon Ill. 33rd degree in November 1999, becoming Master of Kadosh for the year 2000. He belonged to the Ocala York Rite Bodies being Emminent Commander of the Commandery 1995, A Knight Mason, York Rite College, Red Cross of Constantine, Royal Order of Scotland, Florida Lodge of Research, Scottish Rite Lodge of Research, Past Royal Patron Guelda Cress Court No. 29 Order of Amaranth a member of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Lake Forrest #200, National Sojourners, North Central Chapter #537, Gainesville, Sons of the American Revolution, International Order of Odd Fellows and Rebekah’s, Allied Masonic Degrees and Order of Quetzalcotal. He was the Representative for the Masonic Service Assn. in N. Florida working out of the Gainesville Veterans Hospital, since 1988 accumulating over 15,000 hrs. of volunteer service. He resigned as Representative in 2000 and became a Deputy Rep. and still holds that title. He married the former Lois V. Renigar of Asbury, NJ on September 15, 1939. Survivors include his widow, two sons, Harry W. of Knoxville, TN and Jerry W. of Miami, FL; a daughter Spring L. Patton, Asheville, NC, six grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. He is pre-deceased by his parents, Lewis A. and Clara Smith Lance, Washington, a daughter, Lois L. Baucom, Lutheran Minister of Easton, brothers Lewis B., Paul of Cape Coral, FL and Carl A. of Sussex Co., Lester of Washington, sisters, Edith Bushell of Buttsville, Elsie Reigel, Washington and Eleanor Popinko, Oxford and a grandson, Scott Lance, Atlanta, GA. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 20, 2009 at 11:00 AM in Ocala, FL at the Ocala Scottish Rite Temple to include Christian and Masonic Services. Visitation will be held at Hiers Funeral Home, 910 SE Silver Springs, Blvd from 5-7 PM on Friday, June 19, 2009. Additional visitation will be held Wednesday, June 24, 2009 from 10:00 - 11:00 am at DeVoe Funeral Services, 136 Washington Ave. Washington, NJ 07882. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 at the funeral home. Graveside services will immediately follow in Pequest Union Cemetery, Great Meadow, NJ with a Masonic Service to be conducted by the Mansfield Lodge. The family requests memorials to be sent to the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch, Live Oak, FL, Amaranth Diabetes research or Hospice of Marion County.