Earl "Skip" G. McLane

Earl “Skip” G. McLane, 91, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2025, in Columbia, Maryland. He was born on March 2, 1934, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to Earl McLane and Stella Yohn. Skip graduated from Mechanicsburg Senior High School and earned his B.S. in Art Education from Kutztown University, later completing his M.A. in Education. He dedicated his life to inspiring creativity as an art educator at Cedar Cliff High School and as an administrator in the West Shore and Reading School Districts. His passion for the arts extended beyond the classroom—he served as past president of the Pennsylvania Art Education Association and was a longtime member and board member of the Mechanicsburg Museum Association. He also worshipped at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In addition to his contributions in education and the arts, Skip proudly served in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. He was also deeply committed to public health and community advocacy, working with the South Central AIDS Assistance Network (SCAAN) to support those affected by HIV/AIDS. Skip is lovingly remembered by his nieces and nephews: Cindy Schopfer, Ranny Singiser, Steven Singiser, and John Way. He was preceded in death by his beloved partner, Ernest L. Wilson; his parents; his sisters, Bette Singiser and Earlene Gerber; and his nieces, Patricia Singiser and Betsy Clark. A visitation will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at Musselman Funeral Home in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania, with a service to follow at 12:00 PM. Burial will immediately follow at Mechanicsburg Cemetery in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. After the burial, family and friends are invited to gather at Beacon Hill Diner in New Cumberland—formerly John’s Diner—which was Skip’s favorite spot to eat, relax, and share time with loved ones. Though Skip had a deep love for flowers and plants of all kinds—and would have appreciated them dearly—he asked that in lieu of an entire greenhouse, memorial contributions be made instead to one of the following organizations close to his heart: - The LGBT Center of Central Pennsylvania – an organization dedicated to fostering inclusive communities and supporting the holistic well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals through social, educational, and cultural engagement. https://centralpalgbtcenter.org - The VA WAY – an organization committed to improving the mental health of veterans, members of the music industry, and their communities by providing access to mental health training, resources, and events. https://vaway.org (But yes, a plant or bouquet or two would still make Skip smile—he always had a soft spot for a cheerful African violet.) These contributions honor Skip’s lifelong dedication to art, education, public service, mental wellness, and building a more compassionate world.

Earl "Skip" G. McLane

March 2, 1934 - April 3, 2025