Delbert "Deb" Long (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Delbert Hershel Long, son of Hershel and Ruth Barnett Long, was born August 11, 1935, near Phillipsburg, Missouri. He departed this life Friday, June 19, 2020, in his home, near Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-four years, ten months, and eight days.
On August 27, 1971, he was united in marriage to Judith Ann Sutherland, and they shared forty-eight years before her passing on January 21, 2020.
He was also preceded in death by his parents; and an infant sister.
“Deb”, as he was called by all of his family and friends, is survived by two daughters, Lisa Egan, and her husband, Patrick, and Michelle Milazzo, all of Lebanon, Missouri; two sons, Steven Long, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Jon Donigan, and his husband, Jayme Handley, of Belgrade, Montana; eleven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a brother, Jim Long, and his wife, Linda, of Phillipsburg, Missouri; two sisters, Nyla Beard, of Greenridge, Missouri, and Shirley Wolken, of Phillipsburg, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends.
He was born and raised near Phillipsburg, in Laclede County, and graduated from Phillipsburg High School. He then served his country faithfully in the United States Army and was stationed stateside for a few years. After being honorably discharged from the Army, he returned to the Lebanon area and began working as a milk hauler for Mid-Am Dairy. Once he and Judy were married, they made their home near Lebanon and lovingly raised their family. Deb owned and operated a dairy farm until 2002, and then turned the operation into a cattle farm.
Deb had made his profession of faith in Christ and was a longtime active member of Freedom Church of the Nazarene in Lebanon.
He had served on various boards of directors including M.F.A. of Missouri, Joel E. Barber School, and Lonesome Hill Cemetery through the years. He was an extremely dedicated worker, was an excellent neighbor and was always willing to help others. He never wanted any recognition for his good deeds, but was chosen as a Lebanon Wall of Honor inductee a few years ago. His life rotated around his family and his farm and he loved having time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Deb was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that his family and friends will hold tight to the wonderful memories he made for them during his lifetime.
Memorial donations to Lonesome Hill Cemetery may be made through the funeral home.
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