Virgil M. Long

Virgil M. Long, 91 of Grand Ridge passed away Wednesday (June 11, 2025) at his home.

Following cremation, a visitation will be held Saturday (June 21st) from 10A.M. until 12Noon with services following at the Grand Ridge Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Ancona Cemetery at a later date.

Virgil was born on January 29, 1934, in rural Grand Ridge to Sherman and Mary (Morel) Long. He married Donna Carby on June 5, 1955. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary at home with family on June 5 of this year.

Also surviving are Daughter Lisa (Christopher) Williams of St. Joseph, MI, son Mark (Janet) Long of Marseilles, 5 grandchildren, Cody (Sara) Williams, Casey (Sydney) Williams, Luke (Taylor) Long, Julia Long and Olivia Long.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Richard and Bill, sisters, Irene Long and Shirley Kruger.

Virgil graduated from Streator High School in 1952. After serving in the United States Army in Okinawa from 1955-1957, he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northern Illinois University. As a high school industrial arts teacher who taught welding and mechanics, Virgil helped mentor hundreds of future tradesmen until his retirement from Ottawa High School in 1991. He served as a deacon at the First Presbyterian Church in Grand Ridge and was a Boy Scout troop leader, high school soccer coach, and member of the Oglesby Elks Lodge and Oglesby American Legion. Over the years, he created countless family traditions including camping trips, spring break trips to the Gulf coast, summers in northern Wisconsin, and morning coffee on the deck.

Virgil was fondly referred to as “Da” by his adoring grandchildren and was loved by everyone who met him. His legacy will live on through his family where he transferred his knowledge for building and fixing things, beautiful example of a loving marriage, infinite confidence in “calling it” during a game of Euchre regardless of the number of trump in hand, and love for flying the American flag, cheering on the Cubs and Bears, golfing, fishing, snowmobiling, and being at the treasured family cabin up North.

Memorials may be made to either the Grand Ridge Fire Department or Pet Project of Marseilles.