Joseph L. DeLong

Joseph Leland DeLong, 89, of Quarryville, passed away at home on September 30, 2023. He was born on April 26, 1934, in Unicorn and was the son of the late Howard and Margaret DeLong. He is survived by his daughters, Denise Lumarda (Joseph), Los Angeles; Donna Wiker, Kirkwood; Dawn Kreider (Mike), Kirkwood; and son, Joseph H. DeLong, Kirkwood. Joseph was preceded in death by two brothers and one sister.
Joe graduated from the Southern Lancaster Joint High School in 1952. While attending school he was active in Future Farmers of America and worked on his family farm. The DeLong family moved to their farm just after World War II and Joe spent all his working years there as a dairy farmer. In 1958 he married Ruth Ann Young, and they settled down together on the farm to eventually raise a family of 4. Over the years, Joseph was a Deacon, an Elder and served on the Cemetery Association at Little Britian Presbyterian Church. He served as President of the Solanco School Board and was also on the Board of Farmers First Bank in Quarryville.
An avid hunter and fisherman, Joe greatly enjoyed the outdoors. He hunted small game around the farm in the fall, went up to Potter County for deer and turkey, and fished local streams for trout. He also had a great love of sports and played softball at the Buck for Little Britain Church for over 30 years. He was a talented bowler and later in life discovered golf, which he enjoyed playing as often as he could. Lastly, he had a long relationship with his beloved (and sometimes hated) Phillies.
Joe was a father of 4, grandfather of 6 and great-grandfather of 4. We all have many fond memories of him. His children will always remember deer spotting with Dad and Mom in Potter County on our yearly summer vacation at the cabin. We'll remember hanging out in the barn while he milked the cows. The grandkids and great grandkids all have wonderful memories of tractor and gator rides with PawPaw around the farm. Everyone will remember just sitting out under a tree with him at the end of a long workday. We will all miss him very much.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at Little Britain Presbyterian Church, 255 Little Britain Church Road, Peach Bottom, PA 17563, with Pastor Blake Deibler Officiating. A Viewing will be held at the church from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Interment will immediately follow the service in Little Britain Presbyterian Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Heart Association online at www.heart.org.