Virginia Mae Long

Virginia M. Long, 89, of Dowagiac, passed away on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at her home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00AM on Saturday, March 23, 2019, at Clark Chapel, 405 Center St., Dowagiac. Burial will follow at Keeler Cemetery in Keeler Township. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00PM until 7:00PM on Friday, March 22, 2019, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in Virginia’s name may be made to Caring Circle Hospice. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.clarkch.com. Virginia was born January 14, 1930, in Lilbourn, Mo, to Elmer and Delia (Lawrence) Ballard. On November 8, 1945 she married the love of her life, Charles “Everett” Long in New Madrid, MO. Over the years she worked at Coca-Cola in Paw Paw, Burnettes Food Packing and alongside her son-in-law in his office. Virginia also worked as a factory worker at Sunstrand in Dowagiac for many years before her retirement. She enjoyed working outside in her garden and was known for having the biggest tomato plants. In her spare time she loved shopping and doing puzzles. Virginia had a strong faith in God and was an active member at Liberty Chapel Church in Dowagiac. Most of all she loved her family and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Virginia is survived by her children, Margaret Schmidt of Dowagiac, Charles (Dixie) Long of Dowagiac, Judy (Randy) Weaver of Marcellus, Linda (Steve) Cobb of Sarasota, FL, Susan (Butch) Kuehl of Dandridge, TN, Steve (Rose) Long of Decatur, Betty Elkins of White Pine, TN and Shelley (Mark) Kuriata of St. Joseph; son-in-law Dan Beneke; 26 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; siblings, Jewel (William) Johnson of Dowagiac, Harvey (Marilyn) Ballard of Kalamazoo, Barbara Jordan of AR and Jerry Ballard of Warrensburg, MO, and her special dog, Lila. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; husband Everett Long; daughter Evelyn Beneke; siblings, Jesse “Bud” Ballard, Marie Cochrane, Bonnie Ballard and James Ballard.