Gerald E. DeLong

Gerald E. DeLong, 80, of Lancaster, passed away Monday, October 17, 2016 at the Pickering House surrounded by his family.  He was born May 10, 1936 in Amanda and was the son of the late Lee and Alice (Sanders) DeLong.  Jerry was a 1954 graduate of Amanda High School, retired as a union painter for Lazarus and attended Fifth Avenue Church of Christ in Lancaster.  He proudly served his country as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict.  He was a Past Master and 50-year member of Amanda Masonic Lodge $#509 F & AM, 32ÌŠ Scottish Rite, Valley of Columbus, Aladdin Temple Shrine, Past Patron of Amanda Eastern Star and current member of Parthenia Chapter #124 Order of the Eastern Star and a Kentucky Colonel.  Jerry was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.  He was an avid guitar player and a talented painter.
He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Rosina (Oberhuber) DeLong; children, Amanda (David) Miller of Lancaster, Stewart (Connie) DeLong of Lake Charles, Louisiana and Dr. J. Scott (Melissa) DeLong of Lancaster; grandchildren, Austin Yancey, Alex, Finn and Ian DeLong; stepchildren, Carl (Tammy) Skidmore of Lancaster, Clint Skidmore of Carroll and Dianna Skidmore of Columbus; many great-grandchildren, step grandchildren and step great- grandchildren; brother, Lee (Bernice) DeLong Sr. of Lancaster; sister, Geneva (Pete) Courtney of Amanda and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the Taylor Funeral Home in Amanda with Pastor David Tingler officiating.  Burial will follow in Amanda Twp. Cemetery.  Friends may call from 5-7 p.m. Friday.  A Masonic service will be held following the visitation at 7:00 p.m.
The family would like memorials to be directed to The Ohio Masonic Home Benevolent Endowment Foundation, Inc., 2655 W. National Rd., Springfield, OH 45504-3658 in Jerry’s memory.