Chester Lane was born on February 3, 1924, in the small, rural farming community of Ogilville, Indiana. He was the oldest son of Marion and Carrie Lane. He was later joined by siblings Charles, Dorothy, Albert, Margarie, and Bettie. The family rented a small farm where they grew tomatoes, potatoes and corn primarily for their own use.

Marion Lane worked at Noblitt-Sparks, a manufacturer of radios and radio tubes. Unfortunately he fell down an elevator shaft, was seriously injured, and went on disability. Needing to feed their growing family, Carrie Lane went to work at Noblitt-Sparks in 1939.

Chester and his siblings attended the Kobbe School, a small one-room school in Ogilville. He attended this school through eighth grade.

Chester helped raise his younger brothers and sisters. His younger brother, Albert, recalls Chester putting him on his lap so he could help him learn to drive. Chester let his sister, Dorothy, tag along with him as well. She would sit in the backseat of Chester’s car while he took dates to the drive-in theater, often to the consternation of the girl he was dating.

The start of World War II in Europe meant better job opportunities for the Lanes. Wartime manufacturing boomed in nearby Columbus, Indiana. Chester dropped out of Columbus High School and began working at Noblitt-Sparks to help support the family.