George A. DeLong

News Death Notice

DELONG, George A. 82, of Springfield, Ohio formerly of Enon, Ohio passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on Tuesday, November 15, 2011. He is now with his wife "Lou" at their true home with God. He was born June 22, 1929 in Donnelsville, Ohio the son of the late Isaac "Frank" and Stella (Whipp) DeLong. He graduated from Olive Branch High School in 1947 where he played basketball and was an avid tennis player in High School, eventually winning a District Doubles Championship. He was married October 1st, 1954 to Lucille Ann Daly, his wife for 49 years. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict and spent most of his career working at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Foreign Military Sales, where he retired in 1987 from the International Logistics Center after 38 years of service. Early on in his career at WPAFB he played several years in the base fast pitch softball leagues where he was a dominate pitcher on the mound who helped lead his team to several league titles. He also touched many lives in the Enon community. He was a volunteer coach for both the Enon Little League and Enon Girls Softball Association for three decades. He served as President of the Enon Little League Association, and later on founded and served as an officer on the first Enon Soccer Club (MRGE Association). When he retired from coaching, he was an active participant for 11 years with his youngest daughter Jean in her Clark County 4-H horse projects. He was a member of the VFW Post 8437, Enon and American Legion Post 286, New Carlisle. In his later years, George stayed very close to his high school graduating class and eagerly awaited and enjoyed their annual summer luncheon at Colliers. He was an avid fan of the Cincinnati Reds and Ohio State Buckeyes football and basketball teams and enjoyed watching and supporting both teams. George was a thoughtful, involved father/grandfather who always provided unconditional support to his children and extended family and he will be missed by all. He is survived by his children, a son, James & Suzanne DeLong of Enon, four daughters, Barbara & Fred Shuirr, Ginny Abshear of Springfield, Carol & Chris Nuss of South Vienna, Ohio, Jean & John DeLong-Steinkamp of Indianapolis, Indiana; 11 grandchildren, Doug, Bryan, Jeff, Sarah, Shannon, Paysha, Justin, Jacob, Rhiannon, Jordan & Jaclyn; eight great grandchildren; two sisters, Phyllis Neff of New Carlisle and Elaine Kimmell of Donnelsville; a brother-in-law, Robert Vencill of Albuquerque, New Mexico; sister-in-law, Joan & Marty Hanshew of Brookville, Ohio; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Lucille DeLong; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Donald & Cora DeLong, Larence "Arlie" & Billie DeLong; brother-in-law, Burrell "Curly" Kimmell and sister-in-law, Mary Lou Vencill. Visitation was held from 5-8 PM Friday, November 18, 2011 at the TROSTEL, CHAPMAN, DUNBAR & FRALEY FUNERAL HOME, New Carlisle, Ohio. Funeral service was at 11 AM Saturday in the funeral home. Burial was at the Donnelsville Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to www.trostelchapman.com