Robert E. DeLong

OXFORD  --  Robert E. DeLong, age 74, went to his heavenly home on Friday, April 9, 2010, after an apparent heart attack.

Robert was born on March 8, 1936, in San Diego, Minnesota, the son of Ward and Francis DeLong. He grew up in Brook Park, Minnesota until joining the US Army serving his country from 1953 to 1956. He married Joyce Pechacek on February 6, 1954 and they raised 5 children together in Brook Park, Minnesota. After several moves they finally settled near Portage. Bob had a strong work ethic. He worked hard as an engineer through the years for Land ‘O Lakes, Morning Glory Dairy, Jenos and Eco Labs, retiring in 1998.  He will be fondly remembered for the many things he fixed and built…hay wagons, “the jitney”, “the bulldog”, pontoon boats, windmills, swing sets and trailers.

Robert will be sadly missed by his wife, Joyce DeLong, Oxford;  son, Curt DeLong and special friend, Victoria Scott, Portage; grandson, Robert (Dawn) DeLong, Wisconsin Dells, grandson, Ronnie (Gib) DeLong, Springs, Texas, granddaughter, Andrea (Scott) Melton, Solon Springs, granddaughter, Leah (Todd) Scott, Pardeeville; son, Ron (Judy) DeLong, Buffalo Center, Iowa, grandson, Tim DeLong, Buffalo Center, Iowa; daughter, Connie (Dan) VanStraten, Green Bay, granddaughter, Jennifer (Ken) Leo, Green Bay, grandson, Josh (Carissa) VanStraten, granddaughter, Kim VanStraten; daughter, Debra DeLong, Merril; ten great-grandchildren; sister, Lorene (Tom) McClellan, Brook Park, Minnesota; brother, Richard (Gerda) DeLong, Jonesboro, Georgia; many other relatives and many friends. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Ward and Francis DeLong;  one son, Douglas; infant brother, Charles; half brothers, Al Sticha and Ray Sticha; half sisters, Cecilia Swanson and Sue Reeves.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, WI, with Rev. David Bowman officiating.  Burial will follow in Big Springs Cemetery.  Visitation will be held on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Big Springs Congregational Church.