Rev. Dr. Lynn Everitt Longenbaugh

1938 - 2024

Rev. Dr. Lynn Everitt Longenbaugh
Born: February 2, 1938
Died: June 6, 2024
Rev. Dr. Lynn Everitt Longenbaugh, 86, of North Fort Myers, FL passed away June 6, 2024 at The Windsor in Cape Coral, FL.
Lynn was born February 2, 1938 in Oblong, IL to Rev. Vern and Elsie Longenbaugh. His early years in central IL were defined by his love of sports and the ever-present modeling of servanthood displayed by his parents.
Lynn graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 1955 and went on to pursue a Bachelor of Arts from Indiana Central College in 1959. It is here that he met his wife, Peggy Gibson. They wed on June 11, 1960. They welcomed sons, Kevin, in 1962, Kurt, in 1967 and daughter, Amy, in 1973. Imprinted by the faith of his boyhood home, he answered his own call into the ministry. He graduated from Evangelical Theological Seminary, Naperville, IL in 1962. He then began his 44 years of service in the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church. Motivated by a desire to lead well, he also pursued his Doctor of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL in 1987.
With great reverence and concern, he shared in the most poignant and important moments of many people's lives. He shared in the joy of weddings and baptisms by officiating hundreds of these ceremonies. In moments of grief and loss, he was the wise counselor and comforter. In his 44 years of full-time ministry, he stewarded 8 different congregations, including Rock Grove, IL, Fairfield, WI, Forreston, IL, Mt. Greenwood (Chicago), Wesley (Elgin), Morrison, IL, Gary Memorial (Wheaton), and Lasalle, IL.
Lynn was an outdoorsman who loved his sports. He combined his outdoor passion with ministry as Chair of Outdoor and Retreat Ministries, Director of Junior High youth camps at Camp Reynoldswood and Director of Senior High wilderness canoe camps in the boundary waters for over 30 years. He impacted many young lives and held the placid clear lakes of Canada as sacred places, full of cherished memories.
Lynn remained active throughout his life playing full court basketball well into his 50s. He enjoyed playing competitive tennis and golfing to chase an acceptable handicap while in a pursuit to golf his age. He and Peggy retired to Fort Myers, FL in 2003 delighted that neither rain nor snow never interrupted a sunny day of golf.
Lynn is survived by his sons, Kevin (Leanne) Longenbaugh, Evansville, IN and Kurt (Eliza) Longenbaugh, Hoffman Estates, IL; daughter, Amy Longenbaugh, Chicago, IL; sister, Elaine Catlin (David); 7 grandchildren, Tennille, Corie, Bailey, Stephanie, Michael, Rachel and Daniel; and 10 great grandchildren.
In faith, we believe he is welcomed home by those who preceded him in death including Peggy, his wife of 57 years; his parents; brother, Gerald Longenbaugh; aunts and uncles and dear friends.
Lynn's enduring legacy will live on in the hearts of those who were served and loved by him.
A Celebration of his Life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Boone Funeral Home East Chapel, 5330 Washington Avenue, Evansville, IN with Rev. David Catlin officiating. Burial will be in Park Lawn Cemetery immediately following the services. At the completion of services, friends and family are invited to gather for food and fellowship.
Friends and family may call from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m., Saturday, June 22, 2024 at Boone Funeral Home East Chapel.
Memorial Contributions may be made to The United Methodist Church of Morrison, IL, 200 W Lincolnway, Morrison, IL 61270. www.morrumc.org.
Boone Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Rev. Dr. Lynn Longenbaugh. Condolences may be made to the family online at boonefuneralhome.net