Virginia M. Long, of Dowagiac

Published 9:14 am Thursday, March 21, 2019

Jan. 14, 1930 — March 19, 2019

Virginia M. Long, 89, of Dowagiac, passed away on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at her home.

A celebration of life service will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2019, at Clark Chapel, 405 Center St., Dowagiac. Burial will follow at Keeler Cemetery in Keeler Township. Friends may visit with the family from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 22, 2019, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in Virginia’s name may be made to Caring Circle Hospice.

Virginia M. Long

Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at clarkch.com.

Virginia was born Jan. 14, 1930, in Lilbourn, Missouri, to Elmer and Delia (Lawrence) Ballard.

On Nov. 8, 1945, she married the love of her life, Charles “Everett” Long in New Madrid, Missouri.

Over the years, she worked at Coca-Cola in Paw Paw, Burnettes Food Packing and alongside her son-in-law in his office. Virginia also worked as a factory worker at Sunstrand in Dowagiac for many years before her retirement. She enjoyed working outside in her garden and was known for having the biggest tomato plants.

In her spare time, she loved shopping and doing puzzles. Virginia had a strong faith in God and was an active member at Liberty Chapel Church in Dowagiac. Most of all, she loved her family and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Virginia is survived by her children, Margaret Schmidt, of Dowagiac, Charles (Dixie) Long, of Dowagiac, Judy (Randy) Weaver, of Marcellus, Linda (Steve) Cobb, of Sarasota, Florida, Susan (Butch) Kuehl, of Dandridge, Tennessee, Steve (Rose) Long, of Decatur, Betty Elkins, of White Pine, Tennessee, and Shelley (Mark) Kuriata, of St. Joseph; son-in-law Dan Beneke; 26 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; siblings, Jewel (William) Johnson, of Dowagiac, Harvey (Marilyn) Ballard, of Kalamazoo, Barbara Jordan ,of Arkansas and Jerry Ballard of Warrensburg, Missouri, and her special dog, Lila.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Everett Long; daughter, Evelyn Beneke; siblings, Jessee “Bud” Ballard, Marie Cochrane, Bonnie Ballard and James Ballard.