Robert E. DeLong's Obituary
Mr. Robert E. DeLong, age 90, passed away Saturday afternoon, April 11, 2009. He was born February 24, 1919 in North Muskegon to Paul and Kate (Schuitema) DeLong, Sr. and had been a life resident of the area. Mr. DeLong was a WWII Veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps where he taught future pilots to fly the B-17 and B-29 bombers. Prior to his retirement in 1984, Bob had been employed as a heavy equipment salesman for 25 years at various dealers: Great Lakes Equipment, Schambler Equipment and Northern Equipment Companies. Bob was a member of St. Jean the Baptiste Catholic Church, where he served as an usher and member of its Men's Club. He was also a Life Member of the Muskegon Elks Lodge #274. Bob loved working with his hands and making things out of wood. He enjoyed bowling, golfing, and spending time at his cabin in Freesoil, Michigan. He also loved wintering in Texas. SURVIVORS include his wife, the former Verna Halley, whom he married on August 14, 1943; 3 children, Robert (Molly) DeLong, Jr. of Muskegon, Richard (Patricia) DeLong of Otsego, MI and Peggy (Richard “Keith”) Hartman of The Woodlands, TX; 7 grandchildren, Jennifer (Rob) Brown of Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, Brian (Krista) DeLong of Muskegon, Tom (Amber) DeLong of North Muskegon, Steven (Kellie) DeLong of Marshall, MI, Sara (Dave) Schroeder of DeWitt, MI, Arick Hartman of Norfolk Naval Base, Virginia, Alison Hartman of The Woodlands, TX; 9 great-grandchildren; 1 brother, Paul DeLong, Jr. of Muskegon; 1 sister, Nina DeWind of Muskegon; and several nieces and nephews. Mr. DeLong was preceded in death by his parents, 1 great-grandson, Joseph DeLong, 3 brothers, Wesley, Thomas, and William, and 3 sisters, Bertha Snow, Mary Friesema, and Catherine Vanderlaan. THE FUNERAL LITURGY will be celebrated 10:30 AM Wednesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church with the Rev. Fr. Thomas Brown presiding. Burial will take place in St. Mary's Cemetery. VISITATION with the family will be from 2-4 & 6-8 PM Tuesday at
The Walburn Chapel
Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc.
1547 W. Sherman Blvd.
(231) 759-8565
with a Scripture Service held at 6:00 PM. MEMORIALS to the Harbor Hospice-Poppen Residence will be appreciated. Share memories with the family at their On-line Guest Book at www.sytsemafh.com
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