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A combined celebration of love and life of Geraldean
and Forrest E. "Bush" Long Sr. will be at 2 p.m.
Saturday, March 19, at the First Presbyterian Church
in Danvers, with the Rev. Michael Claver
officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the
service. Burial at McLean Cemetery will be
followed by a dinner at the church.
Arrangements are with Quiram-Peasley Funeral Home
in Atlanta.
Geraldean was born on March 28, 1918, at Funks
Grove. Her parents were Joseph Samuel and Lillie
Maude Butler Girdler. She married Forrest E. "Bush"
Long on June 29, 1935, in McLean. They were blessed
with four sons, who were the center of her universe
until her dying day. Her husband, "Bush" Sr., died
Jan. 5, 2000, just short of their 65th wedding
anniversary.
She is survived by three sons, Edward Duane (and
Emilie) of Sebring, Fla., with whom she lived prior
to returning to Illinois, Thomas Dean (and Sharon)
of El Paso and Larry R. (and Beverly) of Cowarts,
Ala.; a daughter-in-law, Carolyn Turner Long of
Danvers; six grandchildren, Terry and Catherine
Grace Long Melick, with whom she made her home in
Danvers, Christopher S. Long of Danvers, U.S. Navy
Lt. Comdr. Brian Scott and Audrey Long of Port
Orchard, Wash., Richard Lee and Dana Long of
Turlock, Calif., James Robert and Mary Long of
Slocomb, Ala., and Joe Baucom; 10
great-grandchildren, Michelle J. Melick-Brockway and
Brent and Megan M. Melick Whitecotton, all of
Danvers, Matthew D. and Gena Rawlins Melick of St.
Louis, Mo., Jenny and Jeremy Clark of Red Oak, Iowa,
Ryan of Twilla, Wash., Joshua A. Olsen of Sebring,
Fla., Keelei and Corbin Long of Turlock, Calif.,
Hallie Brooke Long of Cowarts, Ala., and Blaine of
Alabama; six great-great-grandchildren, Grace Melick-Brockway
and Kaitlynn and Sierra Whitecotton, all of Danvers,
and Marshall, Kaylyn and Jackson Clark, all of Iowa;
special grandchild Ashley Kauffman of Danvers; a
sister, Barbara Springsteen; a brother-in-law, John
Long; and sisters-in-law Vivian, Eloise and Jeanette
Long. "Aunt Dean" also had many nieces and nephews
with whom she loved sharing time and talents.
She was also preceded in death by her eldest son,
Forrest E. "Bush" Long Jr.; three sisters; and five
brothers. |
She was a lifelong member of the McLean Methodist
Church, where she taught Sunday school classes.
Geraldean enjoyed canning jams and jellies,
crocheting, quilting, sewing, and was an avid
reader. Most of all, she loved time with family and
friends.
"Granny" spent her final years surrounded by the
loving care of her family, especially enjoying the
antics of being showered with love, laughter and
attention of her three great-great-granddaughters,
Grace, 8, Kaitlynn, 4, and Sierra 2.
The family cannot fully express their
appreciation to OSF Medical Center's staff,
especially the staff on the third floor, OSF
Hospice, and Dr. Joseph Liu and caring staff.
The family suggests memorials be made to OSF
Eastern Region Hospice, Normal, or to the family, in
care of Cathy Melick, 306 S. West St., Danvers, IL
61732.
Click here to send a note of
condolence to the Long family.
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