James Long

Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M., Saturday, June 21, 2008, at Brintlinger & Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, IL, with visitation two hours prior to service time at the funeral home. Burial will be in Illini Cemetery, Warrensburg, IL. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society.Bob was born October 8, 1917, near LaPlace, IL, on the Okaw Stock Farm to George Virgil and Maude M. (Cripe) Long. He spent his early years in LaPlace, moving to Cerro Gordo in 1929. In 1937 his family started an Oliver Farm Implement store in Warrensburg, IL. He worked for his father selling Oliver and Massey-Harris machinery until January 1942. Bob served in the Army Air Corps in WWII from 1942 to 1946, attaining the rank of S/Sgt. He married Mary L. Culp, daughter of Howard R. and Marguerite Culp on August 20, 1943 in Decatur, IL. Bob belonged to Kiwanis Club in Decatur for 12 years. He worked for Goodyear Tire & Rubber in retail from 1949 to 1985. After retirement, he was active in the Corvair Society of America and owned 17 Corvairs and some were restored. Mr. Long collected and sold auto parts from his collection for many years. He loved to bake pies, his favorite being Pecan.He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary L. of Decatur; nieces and nephews Jeffrey Long of Mt. Sterling, IL, Howard L. Valentine and wife Pat of Dade City, FL, Richard Valentine and wife Louise of Lockport, IL, Donald Culp and wife Sherry of Ft. Madison, IA, Dennis Culp and wife Carol of Decatur, IL, Michael Culp and wife Katherine of Houston, TX, Gary Culp and wife Donna of Moweaqua, IL, Carol Josserand of Destin, FL, Judy Acas of Joliet, IL.He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother George Merlin.Condolences may be left to the family at www.brintlingerandearl.com. "
}