Mitchell Austin Longenecker

Mitchell Austin Longenecker of Bernville, PA was released from his physical bondage and peacefully passed away at home in the early morning hours on March 6, 2026. He was born in Reading PA on April 1st, 2004 as the 8th child to Les and Jane Longenecker .

Our lives were changed forever when just before his 4th birthday Mitchell was diagnosed with Deuchenne Muscular Dystrophy. As we struggled to grasp the new journey ahead, Mitchell's Dr. told us, "Mitchell will be fine. It's you, his parents, who will struggle." That statement proved to be true. Mitchell lived a full life. He had a happy childhood. As his disease slowly progressed, our hearts ached when he could no longer walk well, kept falling down, and needed to start using a scooter. But Mitchell was thrilled. With his new scooter, he could now keep up with everyone else, and not only that, he could go faster than they could. When it became obvious to us that it was time for a power chair, he was as excited as a young boy getting a new car. To our family it meant adjusting to a handicapped van. To him, it meant even more freedom. Now he didn't have to be moved all of the time. He could maneuver into tighter places, go even faster, and he even had a nice soft seat to sit on. He thoroughly enjoyed his young folk years and we are humbled and thankful to all of the young folks who took the time to help him get to the places he was determined to go. He was always eager for the next event. He never wanted to be left behind even if it meant having several people lift his 500 lb wheelchair onto a wagon, with him in it, so he could go on a hayride, then lifting him back off when it was over. He never complained or expressed self-pity when his peers were active. He was content to share in their joy and activity while sitting on the sidelines. Being there was all that mattered to him. He never seemed to consider himself handicapped. When his dad was recently diagnosed with diabetes, Mitchell watched him eating his low carb meal and said, "Well Dad, I gotta say I'm sure glad I'm not you."

On March 4th of 2023, Mitchell was baptized into the Old German Baptist Brethren church. He was a faithful member and attended services as often as he was able. To you, his friends who held your hymnbooks for him, washed his crippled feet, and helped him pass the bread and wine at communion, Thank you. He always preferred to sit with you rather than with his dad.

Mitchell attended and graduated from Hamburg High School in 2023. Though he was never very excited about anything concerning school, it helped keep his mind active and fill his days. He couldn't ever figure out why, nor was he impressed with the fact, that he won an award for "Overcoming Adversity." For a short time, he was employed and doing photo organization. Working from the same office as his brothers and Uncle Neal was a highlight for him. If possible, he always wanted to be early enough to get in on the early morning banter and coffee.

As time moved on, what little strength he had, declined even further. He still had goals. He was always planning and anticipating his next trip. He was always asking for his nieces and nephews to come. And one way or another, he usually managed to make that happen. He loved the chaos and commotion of activity. His biggest highlights of the past couple of years were when his out of state siblings would take turns coming to spend quality time with him and helping with his care for several consecutive days. He didn't care how much those plane tickets cost. It was his favorite way to spend his money.

As soon as Christmas was over, Mitchell began looking forward to his yearly trip to Florida. He loved the warm weather and sunshine, but was ready to get home to see his nieces and nephews. While in Florida, we noticed a few subtle changes in him, but nothing that was overly alarming. Once home, he seemed to settle back into his normal routine, but we noticed that swallowing was becoming more difficult. After attending his needs on the evening of March 5th, he went to sleep as usual. In the early morning hours he was released from his body of bondage and carried away. The look of peace on his face we will never forget. We praise God for his perfect timing and plan. We know Mitchell's life was truly a gift. Not one that we would have chosen, but one that we needed. The lessons he taught us are eternal.

Mitchell is survived by :

His parents,

His grandparents:

Jerre & Judy Longenecker – Bernville, PA

Marvin & Kathryn Mohler – Rossville, IN

A great grandmother –

Mildred Stump – Richland, PA

His siblings:

Nathaniel & Sarah - Westcliffe, CO.

Joseph & Sara - Pasco, WA

Darcy & Gabriel Dumont - Modesto, CA

Ben & Julie - Bernville , PA

Atlee & Mariah – Quinter, KS

Nicholas & Suzanne - Bernville, PA

Kaitlyn & Ryan Hess – Bethel, PA

Samuel & Jodie – Bernville, PA

Ellie, Ashley & NyJean – At home

Nieces and Nephews:

Moriah, Isaiah, Emmett, Tirza, Clark, Selah, & Jace Longenecker

Marlee, Corbin, Declan, Emory, Ian, & Ty Longenecker

Cana, Enzo, Daphne, Wiley & Griffin Dumont

Charlie, Hudson, Haven & Willow Longenecker

Koby, Achaia, & Jake Longenecker

Cecilia & Max Longenecker

Becca & Tadd Hess

We want to give special thanks to:

Our Heavenly Father: We praise Him for Mitchell's life. God's gifts are sometimes hard to accept, but his plan is perfect.

His brothers and sisters: You made his life brighter and he deeply loved you all. Your willingness to take your turns in caring for him made our days easier. He kept track of whose turn was next and he always thought your visits were a little too short. To our children still living at home. Your willingness to stay around the house and sacrifice your time when you were needed was a gift. Your willingness made daily life doable. Mitchell took advantage of the three-hour time change. To our children in the west, the time you gave in the evenings to talk with him, let him listen in on your devotions, and just listen in to your family activity while he was laying in bed, was a sacrifice. Mitchell kept up with all of the family news from coast to coast. He usually knew what everyone was doing. And to our married children living nearby. We could not have managed without you, especially during the past 2-3 years. You were always available and willing.

His grandparents: Your presence in his life was wonderful. He enjoyed the visits and phone calls from long distance. He always knew who would cook up his favorites, feed him a good meal and somehow always manage to produce a BLT sandwich for him. Mitchell also knew who to go to and get a good wheelchair polishing. PawPaw understood. He didn't like to drive a dirty vehicle either.

His nieces and nephews: You brightened every single day of his life. Usually every day we saw at least one of you. On the rare day we didn't, he would ask for you, and he usually managed to manipulate a plan to get you here. He loved having two little boys squished in the single bed beside him. You never woke to help him, but he loved having you there. There were many times during his late-night phone calls that he would lay and listen to the late-night chatter of you who were far away. We would often hear little voices saying "Hey Mitch!"

His cousins and extended family: Thank you for your attention, phone calls, coffee stops, willingness to let him come to your house and just hang out for no particular reason. He loved his aunts, uncles, and cousins dearly. On his birthday, he always looked forward to his stickers and two dollars he knew would be coming. You were all a very important part of his life.

The Young Folks: Thank you for including him, even when it meant slowing you down. He loved being with you. He always enjoyed watching your games from the sidelines. Thank you to the friends who were willing to drive him around, especially to Franklin county, help him order food, and even feed him. Your willingness and thoughtfulness was not unnoticed.

Our district: We are humbled and blessed by you all. We can never repay the time, energy, and meals you have given our family. Those of you who volunteered to give up your nights to sleep with him, he loved having you there. He enjoyed your bedtime devotions and books read to him. He would have arranged someone to come every single night if we would have let him. He loved having you beside him. It was a comfort. Thank you.

The brotherhood, all of his friends, and acquaintances: Thank you for caring. Mitchell received a lot of mail, gifts, and visits from friends everywhere. He could never understand why he got so many birthday cards in the mail. Nobody else he knew got cards like that. After all, he was just a regular person,( or so he thought.) Your cards and words of encouragement were often given right when they were needed. Please continue to pray for us as we adjust to life without him. We love you all.

Mitchell's work on earth has been fulfilled. We trust his memory will live on in your hearts and minds.

He that overcometh shall inherit all things: and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Surely I come quickly. Even so come Lord Jesus.