Bill Long

Bill Long, 78, of Rockford, Ohio, died Tuesday, August 19, 2014, at 10:53 p.m. at the Van Wert In-Patient Hospice Center in Van Wert, Ohio. He was born on December 4, 1935, in Liberty Center, Henry County, Ohio, to Albert and Ora (Stryker) Long. On July 11, 1958, he married Joan P. Leupp, who survives in Rockford. Bill was the owner of his own commercial poultry business for over 45 years, packaging and delivering eggs to local retailers before partnering with Parke-Davis pharmaceutical company where the eggs were used to manufacture flu vaccines. Known as a very hard worker, he also was employed by Stephenson Home Improvement for over 20 years, and provided lawn care services for the Blackcreek Township cemeteries for over 30 years. Once retired from his own poultry business, he worked part-time for Muhlenkamp Poultry. In what spare time he had, he was an avid Ohio State Buckeye fan, cheered for the Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Browns and enjoyed each and every one of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Bill was a member of the New Horizons Community Church in Rockford. Surviving in addition to his wife, Joan, are four children: Cindy (Steve) DuVall of Middlepoint, Ohio; Petrise (Neil) Meyer of Celina, Ohio; Cassi (Rich) Baker of Upper Arlington, Ohio, and Scott (Kathy) Long of Van Wert, Ohio. There are nine grandchildren who survive: Nicholas (Becca) DuVall, Phillip (Courtney) DuVall, Natasha (Robbie) Breese, Preston (Renee) Meyer, Marcus (Brooke) Meyer, Aubri (David) Rench, Darci (Andrew) Smith, Harry Baker, and Lucy Baker, and eight great grandchildren. Also surviving is one sister, Carol Frysinger of Liberty Center, Ohio. Bill was preceded in death by granddaughter Samoan Meyer. Funeral services will be held on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at New Horizons Community Church in Rockford, with Pastor David Souers and Pastor Mark Rutledge officiating. Burial will follow at East Bethel Cemetery, St. Rte. 707, Rockford. Friends may call at New Horizons on Saturday from 2:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Sunday. Memorials may be directed to Van Wert In-Patient Hospice Center or to the St. Anthony Dinner Theater.