James Benjamin Long
James Benjamin Long Sr., 89 of Springfield, died at 9:40 am Friday, January 20, 2012 at St. John’s Hospice. He was born March 16, 1922 in Springfield to J. Cleveland and Esther Snyder Long. He married Mary Lou Lichlyter on September 10, 1948.
He is preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Pamela Delaney, three sisters, and three brothers.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Lou of Springfield, five daughters, Karen Long, Venita (Larry) Lyons, Shearl (Mike, deceased) Lohrenz all of Springfield, Teresa (Bill) Farmer of Arizona, MaryAnn Cook of Kansas, four sons James (Marsha) Benjamin Long Jr., Kelvin Long both of Springfield, Bernard Long of Georgia, and Frankie Long of Kansas, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
James was a United States Army Air Corps Veteran serving during WWII. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a 32 degree mason, American Legion Post #32, and a member of the Springfield Scottish Rite. He was an operating engineer for Groves, Caterpillar, and Halverson.
Visitation: 4-7 pm Tuesday January 24, 2012 at Staab Funeral Home.
Funeral Service: 10 am Wednesday January 25, 2012 at Staab Funeral Home with Pastor Charlie Carver officiating. Burial at Oak Ridge Cemetery where military honors will be conducted. Memorials can be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children.
Daniel Long posted on 9/22/12
Wishing everyday to have that chance to get to know my grand-dad better, but the the memories I have at the age of 5 or 6 years of age are good ones. My first game system Atari 2600 bought by him at Sears for Christmas, something he didn't have to do but did. Little stuff but powerful memories, last movie I watch with him has the first time I watched Smokey and the Bandit. That movie carries great memory to my every time I watched it from being a kid to know it takes me back to that one day in his movie room watching i with him on Bata. With this memories he is still here with me. Love Your Grand-Son: Daniel Long