Leal J. Long

Leal J. Long, 805 Baker Street, died at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 24, 2000, in Pilgrim Manor Nursing Center.  He was four days shy of his 85th birthday.

            Leal was born in Plymouth on Nov. 28, 1915, the son of Neal and Nellie E. Linn Long.  He attended school in Plymouth and graduated from high school in Michigan in 1933.

            On April 4, 1936, in Plymouth, Leal and Annabel Dexter were married.

            Leal was a skilled tool and die maker.  He worked for South Bend Tool & Die for 30 years, then worked for Adams Engineering for 16 years, retiring at the age of 66.

            An outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and living on the lake.  He had many diverse interests: he was into photography and collecting guns.  He was also a C.B. and ham radio enthusiast: his handle was “Leo the Lion.”

             A member of the Plymouth Wesleyan Church and a past member of the Moose Lodge, he was a member of the V.F.W. of Bremen.

            Leal is survived by Annabel, his wife of 64 years and by three daughters: Betty and Jerry Hummel, Bremen, Joan Klingerman, Lakeland, Fla., and Diane and John Johnson of Eaton Rapids, Mich.

            Sixteen grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, four step-great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild and two step-great-great-grandchildren also survive.    

            Leal was preceded in death by his parents, Bob Long, a son, Cynthia Long, a daughter and a half-brother, Clarence Null.

            Visitation will be on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2000, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.

            Funeral services, conducted by the Rev Robert E. Vardaman, Senior Adult Pastor of the Plymouth Wesleyan Church, will follow visitation in the funeral home at  11:00 a.m.

            Burial will be in  New Oakhill Cemetery.

            Memorial gifts may be made to the Plymouth Wesleyan Church Building Fund.