Gene Long

1933 - 2015

Gene Edward Long, 82 of Naperville, Illinois, died peacefully on December 23, 2015 at the Springs of Monarch Landing. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marian (Taylor) Long and his three daughters Beverly (Robert) Mitchum of Downers Grove, Illinois, Virginia (George) Leiner of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and Denise (Martin) Hauser of Wheaton, Illinois. Gene was loved by his four grandchildren and their children, Jamie (Jeff) Osborn and their children, Wyatt and Ruby of Livermore, California; Robert, Jr. (Laura) Mitchum and their son, Dean, of Oak Park, Illinois; Rebecca (Todd) Newcomer and their daughter, Sylvia of Plano, Texas; and Angela (Zachary) Sharp of Moline, Illinois. He is also survived by his brother, Richard (Ruth) Long of St. Louis, Missouri and his sister Joann (Harlan) Spurgeon of Springfield, Missouri. Gene also loved the many family dogs, Muffy, Sydney, Augie, and Campbell. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Ruth Long. He grew up in St. Louis (once a Cardinal fan, always a Cardinal fan) and later in LaSalle-Peru, Illinois where he attended LaSalle-Peru Junior College (now IVCC) and received his bachelor's degree in business from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. Gene was employed for 38 years at Container Corporation of America, first in Rock Island, Illinois and later in Carol Stream, Illinois. Gene and Marian were members of First Christian Church in East Moline, Illinois where they were married in May 1959, and First United Methodist Church in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Gene enjoyed fishing, golfing, classical music, reading, and being with his many friends and family. A memorial service celebrating Gene's life will be held, January 9, 2016 at 11:00 AM at First United Methodist Church in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Benevolent Fund at Monarch Landing, 2255 Monarch Drive, Naperville, Illinois 60563 or First United Methodist Church of Glen Ellyn, 424 Forest Avenue, Glen Ellyn, Illinois 60137.