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Obituary for Robert M. Long
Robert M. Long, age 90, of Caldwell, Ohio, passed away Sunday, February 8, 2009, at Summit Acres Skilled Nursing and Rehab, where he resided for the past nine years. He was born July 1, 1918, in Sharon Twp., Noble County, son of the late Edmund L. and Carrie Pilcher Long. He grew up on a dairy farm on the outskirts of the village on State Route 285 from which his family ran a milk route in Caldwell from 1931-1942. During World War II, he served his country in the U.S. Navy. While very ill in a hospital in New Orleans, he and other navymen were visited by Helen Keller. Bob attended Ackley?s one room school and completed his education at Caldwell Exempted Village Schools. In the late 1960s, he was a member and president of the Caldwell School Board, and in the 1970s, he was also employed as a bus driver. In August, 1955, after having been employed as a truck driver for Quimby?s Bakery, and at Cozier Box Factory, as well as farming, he purchased Staats Farm Supply from Walter Staats, and moved his family into the apartment over the business and changed the name to Long?s Tractor Sales. As tractor sales declined, the business evolved into a lawnmower and chainsaw business, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in August, 2005. Bob?s son Galen and grandson Brent are now the owners and operators. Bob was a member of the Caldwell Church of Christ. He was a faithful Christian who served the church as an elder and Sunday School Superintendent. Using his great love for music, he served as song leader, choir member, and a quartet member who sang at area church services and funerals. Bob had a great interest in trains and made countless trips to Horseshoe Curve, Pa., to watch the trains go through the mountains. Bob was united in marriage November 3, 1945, to the late Vera Haines Long, who departed this life July 30, 1995. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by two brothers, George Long on January 22, 1913, and William (Elda) Long, who was accidently killed while serving in the mission field in Africa February 22, 1947; a sister, Carmen (Art) Houser on March 13, 2000; his father and mother-in-law, Harold and Roxie Haines; and a special friend, Madge Morrison, on April 9, 2004. Surviving are one daughter, Carolyn (Richard) Rutherford of Caldwell; two sons, Galen (Candie) Long of Caldwell and Merlyn (Pam) Long of Statesville, North Carolina; two granddaughters, Brenda (Robb) Faust of Mason and Carrie Long of Caldwell; four grandsons, Brian (Jennifer) Rutherford of Albany, N.Y., Brent (Kristen) Long of Caldwell, Jason (Kari) Long of La Grange, N.C., and Jonathan Long of Statesville, N.C.; six great-grandchildren, Eleanna and Ethan Faust, Lucy and Olivia Rutherford, Chesne Long and Isabelle Long; one sister-in-law, Wava (Richard) McNabb of Beverly; one brother-in-law, Jay (Carol) Haines of Lowell; several nieces and nephews; and his wonderful friends and caregivers at Summit Acres Skilled Nursing and Rehab and the Hospice of Guernsey. Friends and family may call Tuesday, February 10, 2009 from 4-8PM at McVay-Perkins Funeral Home, 416 East Street, Caldwell, where the funeral service will be held Wednesday at 11AM with Pastor Jim Garrett officiating. Burial will follow at Sharon Cemetery. In memory of Bob?s love of music and in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations for a piano for the Summit Acres Nursing Home Chapel. A fund for this purpose has been established at Farmers and Merchants Bank, 430 North Street, Caldwell, Ohio, 43724. It should be designated Piano Fund for Summit Acres ? Carolyn Rutherford.
