VERNON “Vern” LONG

Vernon “Vern” Long, age 78, of Maple Park, IL passed away unexpectedly, Thursday, November 9, 2023 and leaves a legacy of memories for his family to love and share.

He was born in Sandwich, IL, on June 13, 1945, to loving parents Herbert and Lois Long.

Vern grew up in Kaneville and attended local schools. He graduated from Kaneland High School with the class of 1963 and went on to study at the University of Illinois.

Vern married the love of his life on April 26, 1969. They made their home in Sycamore in a tiny basement apartment for a few months while Vern, his father and grandfather built their home board by board even mixing and pouring their own foundation. It was there that the family grew to include four children that helped to fill every nook and cranny with love and laughter.

Vern was a farmer in his heart, and his hands showed evidence as each callous was hard won. He was one of ten generations of his family tilling the land and caring for the livestock from sunup to sundown. You could trace each season on his face and see the passion in his eyes as he surveyed the acres that called to his soul.

In earlier years, Vern was a proud member of the Kane County Young Farmers, and later dedicated time to the Kane DuPage Soil and Water Conservation District. He was most proud of his work on the Kaneville Township Board since 1981. In addition, he was a member of Pork Producers and Crow’s Hybrid Seed Company.  In 1980, Crow’s awarded him a corn trophy for having the highest yield per acre, in his district, using Crow’s seed.  He recorded 196.6 per acre using Crow’s #444.

Vern had a penchant for bad “dad” jokes that highlighted his very dry sense of humor. Vern was the ultimate family man and it was most apparent when the kids all came home and were gathered around the dining room table; playing euchre, rummy, old maid or golf, when the kids would leave and the house was quiet he would always wish he could have had a recording of the joy and laughter. His grandchildren loved to walk the walk and talk the talk with grandpa, and followed him wherever he was going, especially if it was out to the backyard bonfire. His chocolate stash was legendary but not particularly secret. He shared his sweet tooth by making “cheesy pancakes” that were cheesy in name only. He surreptitiously hid chocolate chips in Merkt’s cheese containers, pretending he was giving the kids a “healthier” pancake while pouring cups of chips into the batter. His corn bread smelled almost as good as it tasted because it was made the old fashion way, taking corn from the field to the table. Homemade honey butter melted perfectly onto anything and always disappeared faster than it could be made. Riding 4-wheelers gave him a thrill, one that he shared with the rest of the family, going on night rides and making the grandkids nearly fly over the snow when he towed their sled with abandon. Vern tempted fate every winter by making a sled run that ran down the side of the house, over a ramp and towards the biggest oak tree this side of your nightmares. Fearless, the kids laughed all the way down and blasted up the side of the tree without a care in the world. Every weekend brought a chance to dance the night away for decades, letting the polka music move his feet for hours on end. Even a hip replacement couldn’t stop him from showcasing his moves.

He leaves his loving wife of 54 years, Diane Long; four children: Vernon Jr. (Michele) Long, Jennifer (Jeff) Shelts, Thomas (Kelly) Long and Melanie (Jeff) Roth; 9 grandchildren: Ryan (Courtney) Long and their daughter, Delilah May; Brooke Long, Collin Shelts, Justin Shelts, Madelyn Roth, Zach Roth, Mackenzie Long, Jackson Long, and Grayson Long; 3 siblings: Marilyn Kingsley, Janice White, and Jim Long; many nieces, nephews, cousins and a farm field full of friends.

He is reunited with his parents, Herbert and Lois Long who preceded him in death.

Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m., will be followed by a funeral service to honor his faith and celebrate his life on Sunday, November 12, 2023, at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 40W605 IL-38, Elburn, IL 60119. Interment will follow Monday, November 13, 2023 at Kaneville Cemetery, Kaneville, IL.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Vern’s name. Checks may be made to the “Vernon Long Sr. Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Memories and tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.