Neil Long

Neil Edward Long, age 73 of Oxford, passed away on Monday, September 5, 2011 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison. He was born on October 9, 1937 in the Town of Marshall, Richland County, Wisconsin to Gerald and Marie (Miller) Long. He was raised in Richland County until high school when he moved to attend Seventh Day Adventist High School Columbus Academy in Columbus County. While in high school he worked as a farm manager. After high school graduation Neil moved to the Oxford area. He married the love of his life, Lillie Groskreutz on August 29, 1959 at the New Chester Congregational Church, Adams County. Neil operated his own dairy farm for many years and later did crop production before retiring this last spring. While he was farming Neil also worked at Speed Queen where he received recognition for inventing a part that was used in their washers and dryers. In 1978 he began driving school bus for the Westfield School district and was only going to be part time this year due to his health. Neil enjoyed ice and roller skating, breaking and riding horses, dancing, hunting, fishing, polka and waltzing, gardening, traveling, visiting with friends, playing cards, church and community activities, farming and most of all spending time with his family.
Survivors include his daughter, Lisa (Tim) Ems, Oxford; grandson, Thomas Ems, Oxford; his mother, Marie (Miller) Long-Roberts; two brothers, Jerry (Mary), Edgerton and Ronald, New Lisbon; many other relatives and friends. Neil was preceded in death by his wife, Lillie on April 23, 2011; his father, Gerald; two sisters, Rosetta Long and Cleo (Ronald) Preston; step father, David Roberts.
A funeral service for Neil will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Westfield with Pastor Barb Merwin officiating. Burial will be in New Chester Cemetery, Adams County. A visitation will be held on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the hour of service at the church.

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