Paul E. DeLong, age 88, of Dexter City, Ohio, died Friday, November 3, 2023, at Legacy Marietta. He was born August 28, 1935, in Macksburg, son of the Wilbur Floyd and Alma Lillian Wagner DeLong. Paul was a 1955 graduate of Dexter City High School, where he was stand-out basketball player on the state champion basketball team. He retired from B.F. Goodrich/RJF in Marietta. He was also employed in maintenance by the Pioneer Golf Course in Marietta. He attended the Macksburg United Methodist Church and played church league softball.. He enjoyed woodworking, playing golf, and playing solitaire on his computer. He loved meeting at McDonalds for coffee.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Mabel F. Davis DeLong, whom he married August 1, 1953, and who died May 10, 2017; one daughter, Debbie Jo Allen, who died in 1995; a son-in-law, Jerry Barlow, who died in 2023; 2 sisters, Helen Reid and Dorothy Graham; and three brothers, Bill DeLong, Bob DeLong, and Walton DeLong.
Surviving are two daughters, Becky S. Barlow of Dexter City and Cindy L. (Dean) Jett of Vincent; 7 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; his companion, Jenny Stottsberry of Caldwell; a special nephew, Bil (Joanne) DeLong of Caldwell; and a brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Helen Davis of Lancaster.
Friends may call Monday, November 6, 2023, from 4-8PM at McVay-Perkins Funeral Home, 416 East Street, Caldwell, where the funeral service will be observed Tuesday, November 7th at 1PM with Ken Perkins officiating. Burial will follow at Lund Cemetery in Macksburg.
