Obituary of Leonard Long

Leonard Mason Long, 85, went to Heaven to be with his Lord and Savior on April 6, 2023. He accepted Christ and was baptized into the Mennonite faith in his youth, becoming a lifelong member of Science Ridge Mennonite Church, where throughout his life he served on various committees, most recently as a discussion leader for his peers.

   He grew up on a dairy farm along with his three brothers, learning a work ethic that continued in his adult life, and set a desire to become a dairyman. He attended Prairieville and Mound Schools and graduated from Sterling High School in the class of 1955. He met his wife, Judith Baer, at Church and they married on April 19, 1958.

   Leonard chose to complete his selective service in VS under Mennonite Board of Missions and was placed at Froh Brothers Homestead in Sturgis, MI which was a dairy farm that supported a home for the aged. Upon completion of a two year term, he and Judy returned to Sterling and in 1960 settled on a farm north of Sterling. Leonard became one of the top dairymen in Whiteside County keeping DHIA records for his 40-cow herd of purebred registered Holsteins under the prefix of JU-LEN Registered Holsteins. He was a steward of the earth, rotating crops of corn, oats and alfalfa, which he grew to feed his livestock. In 1958 he became a member of Holstein-Friesian Association, winning quality milk awards from Foremost Farms USA where he shipped milk. He supported education of the dairy farm by welcoming tours, the first being Lee County in 2006, the Whiteside County Barn tours in 2014 and school age children who attended Woodlawn Arts Academy farm camp in association with Whiteside Farm Bureau and the Early Bird pre-kindergarten program. He continued to be an active farmer and neighbor to all who needed a helping hand until his health required him to slow down and allow his grandson, Kile Long to manage the farm he loved.

   Summer was always a busy time putting up hay, sharing the workload with his brother, Weldon, our son Douglas and the neighbor boys. Time was found for family vacations, family picnics, attending school programs, and church activities, all important events in our family life, also family time, where playing Dominoes around the kitchen table was a favorite, and the Classic Gospel TV program on Saturday evening was a must!

   In addition to his parents, Leslie and Wilma Shank Long, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Weldon Long and Warren Long, his sister-in-law, Sharon Long and two brothers-in-law, James Ebersole and David Ulrich.

   He is survived by his wife, Judy, of nearly 65 years, four children; Phyllis (Randy) Webster of Ballwin, MO, Shirley (Douglas) Hartzler of Jackson, MN, Janice (Michael) Eigsti of Goshen, IN and Douglas (Kristin) Long of Sterling. Eight grandchildren Justin (Melanie) Webster, Trisha (David) Smit, Mandi (Matt) Gall, Rick (Renee) Eigsti, David Eigsti, Jill (Matt) Diller, Kile Long and Kassie Long and eleven great-grandchildren. A brother, Vernon (Linda) Long of Sterling and a sister-in-law Beverly Long of Prophetstown, nieces, nephews and cousins. 

   Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Saturday, April 15, 2023 at Science Ridge Church. Visitation will be 6PM-8PM Friday April 14, 2023 at Schilling Funeral Home in Sterling. There will also be a one hour visitation prior to the services at church from 9:30AM-10:30AM. Burial will immediately follow the funeral and Leonard will be laid to rest at Science Ridge Mennonite Cemetery.

   A memorial has been established to the Whiteside County Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarship Program for college students who study for an education in Agriculture.

   Condolences may be sent to www.schillingfuneralhome.com