Gerald DeLong

GERALD DELONG

West Chester

Gerald DeLong, 90, of West Chester, died Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, at the McCreedy Home in Washington.

Gerald was born Oct. 23, 1928, in Washington, to Milo and Mae (Strait) DeLong. He graduated from West Chester High School in 1946 and Washington Junior College

in 1948. Gerald was a star athlete for West Chester

High, with the football team winning three championships under his leadership. On May 13, 1949, Gerald married his high school sweetheart, Joye Wright, at the United Methodist Church in West Chester. The couple owned and operated the DeLong Lumber Company where Gerald worked for 54 years. Gerald was a member of the West Chester United Methodist Church and was a contributing West Chester columnist and correspondent for the Washington Evening Journal and Keota Eagle for several years. He enjoyed family genealogy, West Chester historical work, conversations over a morning coffee and serving customers throughout his tenure at the lumber company.

Survivors include three grandsons and two granddaughters: Bradley DeLong of Albuquerque, N.M., Brian DeLong of Bloomington, Ind., Ben DeLong of Des Moines, Iowa, Kelly Sorenson of Newton, Iowa, and Tess Stein of Des Moines; seven great-grandchildren; and daughter-in-law, Kathy DeLong.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joye; and three sons, Mark, Michael and Jeffrey.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, at Powell Funeral Home in Keota, with the Rev. Melissa Warren officiating. Burial will be in Keota Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

A general memorial fund has been established.

Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is caring for Gerald and his family.

Tributes may be made at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.