Orville "Shorty" Long

Orville M. "Shorty" Long, 95, of Linn, KS, died Sunday, August 28, 2011 at the Clay County Medical Center in Clay Center, KS. A funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 1, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Linn. Pastor Tom Sahl and Vernon Mai officiated. Anita Singular played the organ while the congregation sang “How Great Thou Art” and “In the Garden.” The pallbearers were Derrick Long, Vance Long, Jason Long, Jeff Uffman, Leland Wohler, Ryan Wieters and Jared Elsasser. Burial was in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery north of Linn. Orville was born on March 7, 1916 near Greenleaf, KS, the son of Alonzo and Etta (Odle) Long. He attended Reiter Country School north of Linn. He served in the Army during WWII in the 5th Armored Division. After his discharge, he returned to Linn and worked for Kuhlman Motor Company. He later opened the Linn Body Shop. Orville attended car auctions every Friday for over 60 years. He was a car salesman, mechanic and auto body repairer. Orville enjoyed car races and playing pinochle and pitch. He was a member of the 5th Armored Division Association, a charter member of the Linn American Legion Post #237, served on the city council and church council. Orville was a volunteer firefighter and drove an ambulance for Linn. On December 1, 1942, he was united in marriage to Betty Savage at the Washington County Courthouse by Judge Snare. She survives. Others survivors include son, Don (Judy) Long, Linn; daughters, Wanda Uffman, Greenleaf, and Connie (Steve) Wieters, Barnes, KS; daughter-in-law, Diane Long, Beatrice, NE; brothers, Charlie Long, Stuttgart, KS, Clarence Long, Linn; sister, Alma McLaughlin, Clyde, KS; seven grandchildren, Derrick (Jody) Long, Vance (Jennifer) Long, Jason (Shera) Long, Jeff Uffman, Ryan (Reily) Wieters, Janell (Leland) Wohler, and Jayna (Jared) Elsasser; and eight great-grandchildren, Jade, Madison, Gabby Long, Alison, Alex, Jalee Wohler, Hannah and Jake Long. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Charles Long; brothers, Ephraim, Arbie, Allen, Albert, Eldon and Lonzo Long; sisters, Bessie Oehmke, Flossie Tegethoff, Zelma Bishop and Marge Burk; and grandson, Troy Uffman. A memorial fund has been established and will be designated at a later date. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Orville "Shorty" Long, please visit our flower store.