Jerry Eugene Long, age 71 of Flora, Illinois passed away at 12:19 a.m. on Saturday, February 14, 2015 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 20, 2015 at Pagel Funeral Homes in Edgewood, Illinois with a one hour viewing prior to the service. Russell Smith will be officiating. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Kinmundy, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the family to defer funeral costs or donor's choice.

Jerry was born on June 14, 1943 in Farina, Illinois, the son of Eugene and Dorothy (Jenkins) Long. He married Peggy Thompson on June 14, 1980 at the Free Baptist Church in Effingham, Illinois.

He served as a Seabee in the United States Navy. He enjoyed fishing, camping, reading westerns, and loved spending time with his family, especially his grandkids.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy Long; 4 sons, Gerry Long of Salem, IL., David Greenwood (wife Sheila) of Louisville, IL., Eric Long of Hillsboro, IL., Brian Long of Flora, IL.; 2 daughters, Tammy Huestis (husband Ty) of Farina, IL. and Michelle Butts of Kinmundy, IL; sister, Donna Wright (husband Larry) of Mulberry Grove, IL; 18 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Dorothy Long; grandparents, James and Dora Jenkins; three uncle, Charles "Bud" Jenkins, Robert Lee Jenkins, and John Jenkins