Ivan F. Long, Sr.

Ivan Franklin Robert Long, Sr., 89, died Monday, November 2, 2009 at the Linn Community Nursing Home, Linn, KS. A funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, November 6, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Linn. Pastor Melba Smith officiated. Anita Singular played the organ while Leland Cook sang "The Old Rugged Cross" and the congregation sang "How Great Thou Art" and "Nearer My God To Thee". Recorded music included "In My Daughters Eyes". Pallbearers were Chad Stunkel, Toby Stunkel, Don Long, David Lehman, Donald Lehman and Norman Rippe. Burial was in the church cemetery with military rites provided by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. Ivan was born December 7, 1919 near Greenleaf, KS, the son of Robert B. and Amelia (Stettnisch) Long. He worked in the mines near Leadville, CO, before serving in the U.S. Army during WWII from 1942 until 1946. After the service he worked at the Linn Body Shop, Kuhlman Implement, farmed, and worked with his brother, LaVern, as a backhoe operator in their construction company in Linn. On August 26, 1946, he was united in marriage to Betty J. Lehman at Washington. They had two children, Ivan Jr. and Geraldine. Ivan enjoyed gardening, caring for his flowers, throwing horseshoes, bowling, spending time with his family and traveling. He always enjoyed going to Tulsa, OK for his Army reunions. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Ivan Jr.; and four sisters, Valeria Schwerdtfeger, Dorothy Weatherly, Loretta Kovich and Lorna Bugliarello. Survivors include his wife, Betty of Linn; daughter, Geraldine Stunkel and husband Harold of Palmer, three brothers, Lavern Long of Linn, Melvin Long and wife Mary Ann and Robert Long and wife Marilyn, both of Salina; two sisters, Vida Anderson and husband Arvid of Salina, Delphia Simmons of Portland, OR; five grandchildren, James Stunkel of Clifton, Jennifer Thalmann and husband Dan of Greenleaf, Chad Stunkel and wife Laura of Palmer, Cassie Wurtz and husband Kieran of Clifton, and Toby Stunkel of Palmer; and eleven great-grandchildren, Ashley, Johnathon, Mercedes and Samantha Stunkel; Acacia, Kesiah, Elijah, Ella and Noah Thalmann; and Shea and Sevy Wurtz. A memorial fund has been established and will be designated at a later time. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ivan F. Long, Sr., please visit our flower store.