La Grande, Union County, Oregon
Vernon DeLong, Route 2, Box 2542A, La Grande, died Wednesday in Portland. He was 72.
Mr. DeLong was born June 27, 1910 in La Grande, the son of Ernest Homer and Fannie (Gekeler) DeLong. He married Lois J. Conley December 11, 1932 in La Grande.
He attended the Liberty Grade School and La Grande High School, graduating in 1919. He attended Oregon State College in Corvallis. He owned and operated a dairy farm for many years and worked for the La Grande School District as a custodian and bus driver.
Mr. DeLong was a member of the La Grande Christian Church, serving as elder for many years. He was chairman of the church board and a trustee. Mr. DeLong was a member of the La Grande Kiwanis Club for 25 years and held office as past president and lieutenant governor. He also was a charter member of the Mavericks and was a 4-H club leader for 45 years.
Mr. DeLong was a member of the BPOE No. 433, and was on the Union County Fair Board for 25 years. He also served as president of the Oregon Fair Association and served 13 years with the Blue Mountain Rodeo.
Survivors include his wife of La Grande, sons Dale and Cecil; daughter Mrs. John (Phyllis) Chess; sister Mrs. Ralph (Frances) Robinson, all of La Grande; brother Raymond, Vancouver, Wash.; 12 grandchildren, six [great] grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives.
Services will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the La Grande First Christian Church with Jack Hart officiating. Concluding services and vault interment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery.
Friends may call at Daniels Valley Funeral Chapel today from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Those who wish to make contributions in Mr. DeLong’s memory to the Memorial Christian Church Fund, 901 Penn Ave., or in care of Daniels Chapel, 1502 Seventh St.
The Observer
La Grande, Oregon
Friday, June 24, 1983
Page 3
Contributed by: Tom Childers
